Image for Manager has now provided significant 21-word verdict on severity of fresh Liverpool injury blow
Image for Manager has now provided significant 21-word verdict on severity of fresh Liverpool injury blow
Liverpool have suffered a big concern over the fitness of Cody Gakpo on international duty, with Netherlands manager Xavi now providing a new update.
For many Reds supporters, and all football fans for that matter, the international break feels like a huge chore, and a risk when it comes to injuries to key players.
Liverpool suffered a blow on Sunday evening, with Gakpo suffering an ankle problem during the Netherlands’ 2-1 win away to Serbia, and being substituted with just 17 minutes on the clock.
Speaking to reporters after the game [via The Athletic], Xabi gave the latest on the situation with a 21-word update, allaying fears over the 27-year-old being out for a lengthy spell of time:
“I don’t think so. It’s his ankle, that’s all I know. Tomorrow we will know, but hopefully it’s not too important.”
Meanwhile, in the same report, journalist James Pearce confirmed that Gakpo “will undergo a scan on Monday to establish the extent of the ankle injury”, also saying that it is an “added concern for Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola after striker Alexander Isak withdrew from the Sweden squad earlier on Sunday due to a thigh problem.”
A cruel time for Cody Gakpo to pick up an injury
This is such bad luck for Gakpo, who has made an excellent start to the season for Liverpool, responding admirably to not getting a summer move to Manchester City.
In hindsight, that may not be a bad thing for him, though!
Gakpo has already scored twice and bagged four assists this season, with the Dutchman finding his best form, and his efforts haven’t been lost on Jamie Carragher, who has said: “Barcola is going to struggle to get a game with this version of Gakpo.”
Hopefully, the winger’s scan comes back with positive news, putting him strongly in contention to start for Liverpool when they host City after the international break.
On current form, Gakpo feels like a shoo-in in the Reds’ strongest starting lineup, with Bradley Barcola still finding his feet in the Premier League, and Rio Ngumoha not quite getting going yet this season. Meanwhile, Victor Munoz feels more like an impact substitute.
It would be a massive blow for Liverpool and Andoni Iraola if they suddenly had to make do without a key man during a busy part of the season, hampering their depth all the way across the attack.
Gakpo can play centrally if needed, making him a solid backup option to Alexander Isak, and if he is now missing for several weeks, youngster Lewis Koumas is the only other realistic choice in that role.
That is far from an ideal position to be in for Liverpool, once again highlighting a frustrating summer transfer window, with not enough new faces added in vital areas of the pitch.
Fingers crossed, Gakpo is only out for a short period and his removal from Netherlands duty was more precautionary than anything, but it is hard not to be concerned after such a promising run of form.