The international break is already proving to be a nightmare for Liverpool with fresh injury woes for Andoni Iraola
Liverpool midfielder Cody Gakpo suffered an injury playing for the Netherlands
Liverpool midfielder Cody Gakpo suffered an injury playing for the Netherlands
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Liverpool have been handed fresh injury concerns after Cody Gakpo was forced off inside 16 minutes while playing for the Netherlands this evening. The Reds attacker went down unchallenged during a break in play and was seen grimacing holding his lower left leg, towards the ankle.
The issue looks to have been sparked from an earlier challenge when Gakpo picked up the ball inside the Serbia half, cutting inside and riding two challenges before going to ground under a slide tackle from Ipswich Town midfielder Sasa Lukic, who was booked.
Gakpo signalled to the Dutch bench to make the change, sparking injury fears hours after it emerged that Alexander Isak has withdrawn from Sweden duty with a minor injury.
Depending on the severity of Gakpo's issue, he could miss the next two matches against Greece (October 1) before the return fixture against Serbia in the final international match before club football resumes.
The former PSV Eindhoven star has been in fine form under new manager Andoni Iraola with two goals and four assists in all competitions under the Basque tactician. Three of his assists have come in the Premier League, two for Isak during the 2-0 win over Ipswich on September 4.
Liverpool face the worrying risk of injury to their forward players leaving them threadbare in attacking areas with Victor Munoz, Rio Ngumoha and Bradley Barcola among the only recognised wide-options for the Reds.
Gakpo looked set to leave Liverpool during the summer transfer window before the club stepped in to block a move to Manchester City, but they had cast their eyes on Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr over a possible switch to the North West, although neither materialised.
The Reds' medical team now faces an anxious wait over the diagnosis for the Liverpool forward's injury with the clash against City looming.
Enzo Maresca's side visit Anfield in a mouthwatering clash following the resumption of club football following the international break.
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But there are now fresh concerns over Gakpo and Isak. In a statement, the club confirmed that a minor injury has curtailed the Swede's involvement with Graham Potter's side.
The statement read: "Alexander Isak is to return to Liverpool from international duty due to a minor injury.
"The striker will not be involved in Sweden’s three remaining fixtures in the current international break and will now be assessed by club medical staff at the AXA Training Centre."