Cody Gakpo has left the Netherlands national team and will therefore miss the Elftal’s upcoming Nations League matches. Liverpool FC also face the prospect of being without the forward.
Cody Gakpo was forced off early on Sunday evening during the Netherlands’ 2–1 win in Serbia, having been fouled in midfield shortly beforehand by Serbia’s Sasa Lukic. Ruben van Bommel came on as a substitute for Gakpo.
As the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) announced on Monday, the 27-year-old striker has already left the Elftal and will therefore be unavailable to head coach Xavi for the upcoming Nations League fixtures on Thursday in Greece and on Sunday in the return leg against Serbia (both at 8.45 pm).
Gakpo had snatched victory from the DFB side in the opening match last Thursday in Amsterdam with his 1–1 equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time, on the debut of new national coach Jürgen Klopp.
Suspected ankle injury
Gakpo travelled back to Liverpool FC to undergo further tests. According to ED.nl, these have revealed an ankle injury, which would result in several weeks on the sidelines. The Reds themselves have not yet confirmed the diagnosis, however.
The Dutchman’s absence would be a major setback for Liverpool. With one goal and three assists to his name, he is one of the few bright spots in manager Andoni Iraola’s team, which has had a rather mediocre start to the season and currently sits in 6th place in the Premier League.
Following the international break, the Reds face a top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City (11 October, 5.30 pm) before travelling to face ASK Linz on Matchday 2 of the Champions League (14 October, 6.45 pm).
