Cody Gakpo has admitted Arne Slot spoke to him about whether he would be involved against his former club PSV Eindhoven. Liverpool have left 12 players at home for their final Champions League group game, having already secured a top-two finish.

Gakpo, one of the most senior players to have made the trip to his native Netherlands, was withdrawn midway through the second half after scoring twice against Ipswich Town on Saturday. He was also left as an unused substitute against Lille in the Reds’ penultimate Champions League match last week.

And the 25-year-old has revealed both decisions from Slot were with one eye on the PSV match, with the Liverpool head coach well aware how much his forward would like to face his former club.

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“The coach said it (being substituted against Ipswich) was because of the game coming up, this game,” Gakpo explained. “So that hopefully I could also play against PSV.

“I got the question from the manager as well but I didn’t play one minute against Lille last week. I do think the coach felt the same way, he knew I wanted to be part of the team playing here.

“So also from the manager’s point of view, that I would probably like to come over here and get some minutes here. So that’s why I’m here.”

Gakpo scored 55 goals from 159 appearances in five years with his boyhood club, while he was also PSV’s captain prior to his move to Liverpool.

Despite it being a shadow squad that travelled to Eindhoven, Gakpo won’t don the armband against his former club.

And the Dutchman, who has scored 11 goals in his last 16 games, admitted he is unlikely to celebrate should he find the net against PSV.

“No, I don’t think so,” Gakpo replied when asked if he might captain the side. “There are other players who are also here who also deserve to be captain.

“Before I played as a central striker, I played as a left-winger. I always was a left winger and now I'm back where I play my best, I think, so I’m happy.

“If I score, I don't think I will cheer that much because I am so thankful for this club. I don't think I'll be too enthusiastic.”

Gakpo admitted that it will be strange facing his boyhood club for the first time as an opposing player, but he is looking forward to the occasion and is hopeful of receiving a positive reception from the home crowd.

“It will be a beautiful moment for me, a special moment for me, of course,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being on the pitch tomorrow.

“I haven’t heard anything but I hope I will get a positive moment tomorrow and people receive me positively. Hopefully a good reception from the fans.

“I think I always had a good connection with them. I've always had a great bond with the fans and the club and I’m looking forward to see them all.”

Gakpo continued: “Yeah, (it will also be) pretty strange. I've never been in the away dressing room so it will be my first time. And also on the other side when the teams walk out.

“So yeah, it will be different than what I am used to but when the game starts I think all those things will fade away.

“We will be focused on the game. With the team we have, we are here and we are going for the win and hopefully it will be a good game.”