Cody Gakpo has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad after suffering an ankle injury in their 2-1 victory over Serbia in the Nations League on Sunday. The Liverpool forward is returning to his club for further assessment.
Injury in Belgrade
Gakpo was on the receiving end of an early tackle from Sasa Lukic in Belgrade and was left in visible discomfort. Initially trying to play on, the 27-year-old ultimately conceded defeat and asked to be taken off as he was replaced in the 17th minute.
The Dutchman underwent scans on the injury on Monday, with reports from the Netherlands claiming he is now set to be ruled out for several weeks.
Official confirmation
The Dutch national side have now confirmed he has withdrawn from the squad and will be unavailable for their remaining two matches in the expanded September/October international break. An official statement read: "Cody Gakpo is unavailable for the remainder of the international break. The forward suffered an injury in Sunday's away match against Serbia (1-2) and is returning to his club Liverpool.
"No replacement will be called up for Gakpo. The Netherlands plays Greece in Thessaloniki on Thursday and concludes the international break on Sunday, October 4, with a home match against Serbia at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven."
Liverpool's concerns
Gakpo will return to Liverpool for further assessment, with the Reds now left sweating over the in-form forward's availability ahead of their return to club action against Man City on Sunday 11 October.
Netherlands head coach Xavi had revealed after the win over Serbia that he was hopeful Gakpo had avoided serious injury. "I don't think so," he said when asked if the issue could be severe. "It's his ankle, that's all I know. Tomorrow we will know, but hopefully it's not too important."
Gakpo will now miss the Netherlands' clashes with Greece and Serbia and faces a race against the clock to be fit for Liverpool's return to club action, with the Reds facing seven matches in just 20 days when club football resumes.
With Alexander Isak also an injury doubt for Andoni Iraola, having withdrawn from the Sweden squad, Liverpool face a potential shortage in attack ahead of such a run. Hugo Ekitike is a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury, while Federico Chiesa has been sidelined since the end of pre-season - though Iraola previously revealed he was hopeful the Italian could return to team training during the international break. If not, then youngster Lewis Koumas could be Liverpool's only available recognised centre-forward when they welcome Man City to Anfield next month.
