Cody Gakpo sent back to Liverpool after ankle injury on Netherlands duty

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has returned to his club for medical assessment after suffering an ankle injury during the Netherlands’ 2-1 Nations League win over Serbia.

The 27-year-old was taken off after 17 minutes in Belgrade following a challenge by Serbia midfielder Sasa Lukic. Gakpo initially tried to continue but was unable to do so and was replaced by Ruben van Bommel.

The Dutch football federation has confirmed that Gakpo will play no further part in the current international window. Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernandez will not call up a replacement for the Liverpool player.

Gakpo will now be examined by Liverpool’s medical staff, who will assess the extent of the injury and determine his likely recovery period.

He has made an effective start to the season for Liverpool, scoring two goals and providing four assists. Gakpo also found the net in the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw with Germany, which was Hernandez’s first match in charge.

His withdrawal means he is expected to miss the Netherlands’ next Nations League matches against Greece and Serbia. It is also not yet known whether he will be fit for Liverpool’s next fixture, with the Reds due to face Manchester City in the Premier League on October 11.

Liverpool are also waiting for an assessment of striker Alexander Isak after he left the Sweden squad with what has been described as a minor injury.

Isak played the full 90 minutes in Sweden’s 2-1 victory over Romania on Friday. He subsequently withdrew from international duty and will miss Sweden’s next three Nations League fixtures.

The striker is due to return to Liverpool, where he will be assessed by the club’s medical team.

The two withdrawals leave Liverpool monitoring the fitness of Gakpo and Isak, two key attacking options, during the international break. Further updates are expected after both players have undergone examinations at the club.