Liverpool have been left fearing the worst after key forward Cody Gakpo was forced off with an injury in the first half of the Serbia-Netherlands game. The Dutchman featured from the start of the UEFA Nations League game in Belgrade.
Gakpo appeared for a second successive game under new Netherlands coach Xavi, but played for just 17 minutes before he had to come off. He was replaced by PSV Eindhoven star Ruben Van Bommel, who had assisted his goal in the game against Germany.
Cody Gakpo sustained the injury following a tackle in the 12th minute, which earned Serbia and Ipswich Town midfielder Sasa Lukic a booking. The Liverpool man had driven the ball infield, shrugging off repeated attempts from Kosta Nedeljkovic to take the ball off him. He reached the centre of the pitch, where he was scythed down by Lukic.
Gakpo attempted to continue playing but signalled to the bench to replace him just three minutes after the tackle. He sunk onto the turf, feeling his ankle gingerly as he was then taken off for Van Bommel.
Liverpool will be disappointed to see Gakpo sustain an injury, with the 27-year-old having already spent time on the sidelines this season. He was absent for the Reds' UEFA Champions League win over Atletico Madrid earlier this month with a minor injury.
Gakpo has started the season in fine form, with three goals and four assists in his first seven games for club and country. He will be assessed and a preliminary observation will be made public by the Netherlands staff after the game.
Liverpool star returns early after injury on international duty
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has returned to Merseyside after he sustained an injury playing for Sweden in the UEFA Nations League. The 27-year-old had scored one of Sweden's goals in their 2-1 win over Romania in their first game, days ago.
Isak played for the entirety of the game but was spotted with a bloody foot after the game, as he had been on the receiving end of a stamp. He has now been released to return to his club for treatment, and will miss games against Poland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and the return fixture against Romania.
Liverpool will be keen to see the Swede, their only available senior striker, avoid any serious injury and be fit for their first game after the international break. The Reds will face rivals Manchester City in their first game back on October 11.