Cody Gakpo has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad after suffering an ankle injury during their 2-1 victory over Serbia in the Nations League on Sunday.
The Liverpool forward was caught by an early tackle from Sasa Lukic and was left in visible discomfort. Gakpo initially tried to continue but was ultimately forced off in the 17th minute.
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.”
The 27-year-old will return to Liverpool for further medical assessment, with the Reds now sweating over his availability for their return to club action against Manchester City on Sunday, October 11.
Netherlands head coach Xavi had revealed after the victory over Serbia that he was hopeful Gakpo had avoided a 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.”
The Dutchman underwent scans on the injury on Monday and, according to Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink, Cody Gakpo is set to be sidelined for several weeks.
Elfrink posted on X: “Cody Gakpo is out for several weeks, research in Eindhoven has shown. The Liverpool forward had to come off early against Serbia after a foul and therefore needs to take a short break to recover.”
Gakpo will miss the Netherlands’ clashes with Greece and Serbia and faces a race against time to be fit for Liverpool’s return to club action.
The Reds face seven matches in just 20 days when club football resumes, with Alexander Isak also an injury doubt after withdrawing from the Sweden squad.
Hugo Ekitike remains a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury, while Federico Chiesa has been sidelined since pre-season.
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