Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has withdrawn from international duty with the Netherlands national team after sustaining an ankle injury. The 25-year-old was substituted during the first half of his country’s 2-1 victory against Serbia on Sunday evening.
Gakpo will now return to Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre for further assessment by the club’s medical staff, missing the Netherlands’ remaining two fixtures of the current international period. This withdrawal comes as Liverpool prepares to host Manchester City in a significant Premier League match next Sunday, October 11.
Gakpo’s Injury Details
During the match against Serbia, Gakpo was forced off after just 17 minutes following a challenge from Saša Lukić. Despite initially attempting to continue playing, he soon went down again and was subsequently replaced by Ruben van Bommel. According to Fantasy Football Scout, Netherlands boss Xavi Hernandez offered a relatively positive outlook after the game but confirmed that Gakpo would require further assessment, including a scan scheduled for Monday, to determine the full extent of the problem.
His return to the club was confirmed by Liverpool FC, with the club anticipating his medical evaluation ahead of the highly anticipated domestic fixture.
Broader Premier League Injury Concerns
The international break has seen several other Premier League players pick up injury concerns, as reported by Fantasy Football Scout:
- Alexander Isak: The striker has withdrawn from the Sweden squad due to a thigh problem, which he reported after scoring in a 2-1 win over Romania. The Swedish Football Association confirmed his departure with a minor injury. According to Fantasy Football Scout, Liverpool also have a concern over Isak, and he will now return to Liverpool to continue his rehabilitation in consultation with his club.
- Bruno Fernandes: The Manchester United midfielder missed Portugal’s 2-1 victory against Norway due to discomfort. Portugal boss Jorge Jesus revealed Fernandes had been playing through a problem, opting not to risk him against Norway. He has not withdrawn from the Portugal squad and may be available for their upcoming match against Denmark.
- Patrick Dorgu: Another Manchester United player, the defender was forced off after approximately half an hour during Denmark’s 2-0 win over Wales. He appeared to feel the back of his left thigh, with reports suggesting a possible hamstring issue. Denmark boss Brian Riemer confirmed Dorgu’s international break was over, and he will return to Manchester United.
- Martin Ødegaard: The Arsenal midfielder sustained an ankle problem in Norway’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal. He was caught by Bernardo Silva in stoppage time and was seen limping after the match, though he expressed hope the issue would settle quickly.
- Lewis Hall: The Newcastle United defender was an unused substitute for England’s 3-2 loss to Spain after an earlier injury scare that caused him to miss some training sessions. He returned to training towards the end of the week and remains with the England squad.
- Jamie Gittens: The Chelsea player has returned to his club after suffering an ankle injury with England Under-21s. He was seen on crutches and has been ruled out of the remaining international matches.
Implications for Liverpool’s Next Fixture
Cody Gakpo’s injury introduces uncertainty for Liverpool as they prepare for their crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday, October 11. His early return to the club’s medical team signifies the importance of a swift and accurate diagnosis to determine his availability for upcoming fixtures. The club will be keen to understand the severity of the ankle injury as they navigate a challenging period in the domestic campaign.
