Cody Gakpo withdraws from Netherlands duty and returns to Liverpool after suffering ankle blow… joining Alexander Isak on injury list as club face anxious wait for updates
Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of two forwards ahead of next week’s Premier League clash against Manchester City after Cody Gakpo joined Alexander Isak in returning home early from international duty.
Dutch forward Gakpo will, like Sweden striker Isak, be assessed on Merseyside by club medical staff.
Gakpo will not feature in either of the Netherlands remaining games of this international window after limping off after 17 minutes of their match on Sunday night, appearing to grimace and holding his left ankle.
Isak’s issue, according to Sweden manager Graham Potter, is in his thigh. ‘Isak has a minor thigh problem,’ said the former Chelsea and Brighton boss.
‘It’s nothing serious, but due to the number of matches in a short period of time, he won’t be able to take part. It’s frustrating for both him and us, but it is what it is.’
Isak had terrible luck with injuries last season but has enjoyed his best start to a campaign this time around, scoring four goals already.
Cody Gakpo was forced off in Netherlands’ clash with Serbia and appeared to clutch his ankle
Alexander Isak left Sweden’s camp with a thigh problem and will hope to fit in time to face Manchester City
Gakpo, meanwhile, has scored two and assisted four more in a fine start to the term.
The severity of both blows is not yet known but club staff will assess the duo in the coming days.
Liverpool are next in action a week on Sunday when they host Manchester City at Anfield in what is the first match for Enzo Maresca’s side since news emerged that they were guilty on most of the charges against them for alleged financial breaches of the Premier League’s rules.
Fellow forward Hugo Ekitike remains a long-term absentee.
