Liverpool star Cody Gakpo is among the Reds stars to hit the headlines during the international break
BELGRADE, SERBIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Cody Gakpo of Netherlands talks to referee Szymon Marciniak during the UEFA Nations League match between Serbia and Netherlands at Rajko Mitic Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Dijks Media/MB Media/Getty Images)
Liverpool are yet to discover how long they will be without Cody Gakpo(Image: Dijks Media/MB Media, Getty Images)
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Liverpool have made an unbeaten start to the season, but some concerns remain.
Andoni Iraola has earned two wins and three draws in his first five Premier League games in charge, but the international break has provided a bump in the road. Liverpool don't return to action until October 11, but there has been plenty going on.
Injury worries have dominated the first week or so of that break. After seeing Alexander Isak return early from Sweden duty, there is now concern over Cody Gakpo.
Away from the action, there has also been transfer talk. The Reds spent big over the summer with Bradley Barcola the marquee arrival, but it's another decision which takes centre stage this week as we bring you the latest from Anfield.
Van Dijk's faith repaid
Liverpool have benefitted from their decision to retain Cody Gakpo, who was linked with both Tottenham and Manchester City over the summer. This follows his club and international teammate Virgil van Dijk singing the forward's praises when it looked as though a deadline day deal might go through.
"What do you think? He's a quality player," Van Dijk said in August when asked if he wanted Gakpo to stay after the arrival of Bradley Barcola. "I think we should keep quality players.
"Let's see what the next few days bring. I want him to stay not only because he's a quality player but also because he's a friend of mine. He's very important for us."
Gakpo has already contributed two goals and four assists in just six club appearances this season despite the addition of competition across the forward line. This suggests the captain's judgement has proved well-founded.
Gakpo heading home after injury
BELGRADE, SERBIA - SEPTEMBER 27: (L-R) Sasa Lukic of Serbia, Cody Gakpo of Holland during the UEFA Nations league match between Serbia v Holland at the Stadium Rajko Mitic on September 27, 2026 in Belgrade Serbia (Photo by Roy Lazet/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Gakpo was on the receiving end of a heavy Sasa Lukic challenge(Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
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Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of Cody Gakpo after he was forced off in the Netherlands' match against Serbia. According to football injury analyst Physio Scout, the club will be fearing the worst but hoping for the best after the nature of the challenge, which saw him forced off.
"Scissor-tackle type mechanism forced Gakpo's ankle into eversion + external rotation. This mechanism raises concern for a syndesmosis/high ankle sprain. Scans will need to rule out any lower-leg fractures," the account wrote.
Gakpo was substituted a few minutes after a challenge from Serbia's Sasa Lukic left him in pain. The player has since returned to Liverpool, where the club should shortly gain a clearer picture of his condition after Netherlands boss Xavi shared his hope that it's nothing too serious.