Gakpo withdraws from Netherlands squad due to injury
Amman2 min read
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Cody Gakpo has withdrawn from the Netherlands national team squad due to an ankle problem, adding to the injury woes faced by English club Liverpool, for which the Dutch forward plays.
The winger suffered the injury during the first half of his country's 2-1 victory over Serbia in the second matchday of League A in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday, and will return to Liverpool for further examinations.
Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez stated after the match that he believed Gakpo had avoided a serious injury, though reports indicate he could be sidelined for several weeks.
Liverpool said in a statement yesterday: "Cody Gakpo has withdrawn from the Netherlands national team camp after sustaining an ankle injury."
They added: "He will not participate in... the remaining two matches during the current international break."
Gakpo's injury is the latest blow to "Reds" coach Andoni Iraola, following Alexander Isak's withdrawal from the Sweden squad.
Isak scored a goal in the 2-1 win over Romania on Friday, but the 27-year-old forward will not feature for the rest of the international break after suffering a "minor injury".
The Spanish coach hopes both Isak and Gakpo will recover in time to participate in the anticipated clash against Manchester City in the league on October 11th.
Liverpool faces a potential crisis in their attacking line if both players do not return immediately after the international break.
French forward Hugo Ekitike is also sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury, while the team has been missing Italian Federico Chiesa since the pre-season.