Liverpool first-team players are currently with their national teams for the extended September and October international break. Two of them have since returned to Merseyside with injuries.
Cody Gakpo left the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday after 17 minutes with an apparent ankle injury. His ankle was caught in a challenge from Serbia midfielder Sasa Lukic.
The Dutch federation said on Monday that Gakpo is not fit to stay with the squad, and coach Xavi Hernandez is not calling up a replacement.
Gakpo’s injury may need several weeks to heal, and Liverpool said he will be assessed at the AXA Training Centre.
Alexander Isak scored and played the full 90 minutes in Sweden’s 2-1 win over Romania on Friday, but he will miss Sweden’s three remaining fixtures. Sweden manager Graham Potter described a minor thigh problem.
Liverpool’s first match after the break is at home to Manchester City on October 11.
While the senior squad deals with those injuries, Liverpool are also looking further ahead.
ESPN Brasil reports that Liverpool are following Defensor Sporting winger Nicolas Scotti, who is 16 and currently part of Uruguay’s under-17 setup.
Scotti has a release clause of around £6m. According to ESPN, Defensor accepted behind the scenes that they could sell him for less.
Sao Paulo and Atletico-MG have both made enquiries about his situation. Defensor depend heavily on player sales and would consider an offer in the near future.
Scotti is primarily a winger and can play on either flank. His first-team minutes have mostly come from the bench, and his goals have come at youth level.
He is expected to move through Uruguay’s age groups and could eventually earn a call-up to the senior side.
International transfer rules prevent Liverpool from simply bringing a 16-year-old South American player to England.
For now, the club can follow his development and decide later whether the release clause is worth paying.
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