With 2023 just around the corner, attention will soon turn to Champions League football as Liverpool look to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Awaiting the Reds next year is a two-legged tie with Real Madrid, with the initial meeting take place at Anfield in February before travelling to the Spanish capital in March for the return fixture.
It certainly feels like Jurgen Klopp's side are out for revenge, having suffered two Champions League final losses at the hands of Los Blancos. Madrid also knocked the Reds out of Europe's elite competition two seasons ago at the quarter-final stage, prevailing 3-1 on aggregate.
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Liverpool will hope they will have Cody Gakpo at their disposal when facing Carlo Ancelotti's side as a deal to bring the Dutchman to Anfield edges closer to completion. Luis Diaz may not have recovered from his injury setback in time for this heavyweight head-to-head, making Gakpo's involvement all the more important.
The good news for Klopp and co is registering the 23-year-old in their Champions League squad will not prove to be an issue due to a rule change that came into effect in 2018/19, enabling players to represent multiple clubs in Europe during a single season.
Gakpo has featured for PSV during his club's Champions League qualifying fixtures and later starred in their Europa League group stage encounters, but would be eligible to star for Liverpool in their matches with Madrid. A similar scenario unfolded this time last year when Diaz joined the club and played a part in the Reds reaching the final, despite playing for Porto - even against the Reds - during the opening stages of the Champions League.
Liverpool can register a maximum of three new players to their 25-man Champions League squad, which must be finalised by 11pm on February 2.
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