Gakpo faces ankle scan after early exit but Netherlands boss expects no serious damage

Cody Gakpo will undergo an ankle scan on Monday after being forced off in the 17th minute of the Netherlands’ 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Serbia on Sunday, though Netherlands head coach Xavi has expressed confidence that the Liverpool forward has avoided serious damage.

Gakpo initially attempted to play through the pain after a heavy challenge by Ipswich Town midfielder Sasa Lukic but was ultimately unable to continue. Speaking after the final whistle, Xavi said: “I don’t think so. It’s his ankle, that’s all I know. Tomorrow we will know, but hopefully it’s not too important.”

The news will concern Liverpool, for whom Gakpo has been one of the standout performers of the early season. The Dutch winger has contributed two goals and four assists across six appearances in all competitions, and carried that form into the international break by scoring a late equaliser for the Netherlands against Germany last week.

Gakpo is not the only Liverpool player to have picked up a knock during the international window. Striker Alexander Isak sustained a thigh problem — as well as suffering a stamp — during Sweden’s clash with Romania and has been released from international duty to return to Merseyside. Sweden head coach Graham Potter confirmed: “He’s got a small problem with his thigh. It’s not a big one but because of the amount of games we’ve got in a small space of time, he won’t be able to make those. Frustrating for him and obviously for us.”

Isak, 27, has made a similarly impressive start to the campaign, registering four goals and an assist — matching his entire tally from his debut season at Anfield in just the opening weeks of this one.

Liverpool’s next Premier League fixture is on 11 October, when they host Manchester City at Anfield, giving the club some time to assess the fitness of both players before returning to domestic action.