Cody Gakpo has confirmed he was asked by Arne Slot whether he would like to stay behind with Liverpool’s other stars for tomorrow’s game against PSV Eindhoven, with the forward choosing to make the trip to face his old side.

Liverpool has made the journey over to the Netherlands for its final league phase encounter in the Champions League, only with a much different look to its squad compared to previous fixtures in the competition.

With the Reds’ place in the last-16 already tied up and just one point needed to secure the top spot, there is virtually nothing riding on tomorrow’s game for the visitors, leading Slot to leave most of his big names back home on Merseyside.

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Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah, and Luis Diaz have been left behind, while Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones remain out injured and with Joe Gomez only making his return to training earlier today.

Some big names have still made the trip, with Gakpo perhaps a surprise inclusion, given he has been in good form recently and will be in the running to start against Bournemouth on Saturday. The 25-year-old though was not about to pass up the chance to face his former side when given the opportunity by his boss.

“I got the question from the manager,” Gakpo confirmed during the pre-match press conference. “But I didn’t play one minute against Lille last week, so it was also from the manager’s point of view that I probably would like to come over here and get some minutes here. That’s why I’m here.”

Gakpo makes his first visit to Eindhoven since leaving the club for Liverpool back in January 2023. He scored 55 goals in 159 senior appearances for the club, but if he gets on the scoresheet on his return tomorrow, he’s not planning on celebrating.

Asked what he expects upon his return, Gakpo said: “Hopefully a good reception from the fans, I think I always had a good connection with them, so I’m looking forward to seeing them again.”

Asked whether he will celebrate if he scores against his old side, he added: “I don’t think that I will cheer that much because I’m so thankful, and I have so many things to thank this club for. I don’t think I will be too enthusiastic.”