Liverpool's Gakpo, Gomez ruled out for Villa clash

Cody Gakpo will miss Liverpool's upcoming match against Aston Villa due to an ankle injury sustained during the Merseyside derby, with manager Arne Slot confirming he is close to returning but not fit for the game. This absence is compounded by Joe Gomez's hamstring injury, which could require surgery and will sideline him for several weeks. Gakpo, Liverpool's second-top scorer with 16 goals, has been a crucial player this season, making his absence a significant concern as the team competes for the Premier League title. In Gakpo's place, Luis Diaz is expected to continue on the left flank, while Curtis Jones returns from suspension. Liverpool aims to secure a victory over Aston Villa, which would put them 10 points clear at the top of the league. Despite the injury setbacks, Slot remains optimistic about Gakpo's potential return for the upcoming match against Manchester City.