Cody Gakpo Injury: Will return earlier than expected

Gakpo (strain) underwent a scan that looked promising and could return earlier than expect, coach Arne Slot said in the press conference. "He [Gakpo] had a scan that looked promising so that means that we are not that worried anymore, as we were maybe one or two weeks ago. So that means he might come back a bit earlier than expected two weeks ago, but that's definitely not tomorrow and also not next week."

Gakpo's first chance to return to the match squad will come against Leeds United on the first day of the year, although that is a positive news for the Reds since they expected him to miss more time due to his muscular injury. That said, the winger will still miss the next two fixtures at least, pushing coach Arne Slot to make changes in the starting XI, with Alexis Mac Allister likely playing upper on the pitch alongside Florian Wirtz until he returns to full fitness.