The Netherlands national team camp has been hit with a significant setback as Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has been ruled out for the remainder of the international break. The 27-year-old attacker suffered an ankle injury during the Dutch side’s 2-1 victory over Serbia this past weekend, forcing him to withdraw from the squad and return to Merseyside for further medical assessment.
Gakpo, a pivotal figure in the current Dutch setup, has been instrumental under new manager Xavi. He notably scored the opening goal of the Xavi era during an encouraging 1-1 draw against Germany earlier this window. While the extent of the injury remains uncertain, the decision to send him back to his club suggests a precautionary approach, leaving fans of both the Netherlands and Liverpool anxious about his potential recovery timeline.
Since moving to Anfield in 2023, Gakpo has established himself as a versatile and reliable attacking threat. During his tenure with the Premier League side, he has racked up 186 appearances, finding the back of the net 52 times and playing a key role in the club’s recent Premier League title triumph. His pedigree is equally impressive at the international level, where he has earned 56 caps and scored 25 goals for the Oranje. Before his high-profile transfer to England, Gakpo enjoyed a decorated spell with PSV, tallying 55 goals in 159 matches while securing both the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup.
Despite the loss of such a marquee player, manager Xavi has confirmed that he will not be calling up a replacement. The coaching staff believes the current squad possesses enough depth to navigate the upcoming fixtures. Gakpo’s absence opens the door for younger talents to stake their claim; PSV winger Ruben van Bommel and the dynamic Noa Lang are expected to receive increased minutes in the immediate future.
The rotation will be tested quickly as the Netherlands prepares for a challenging away trip to Greece. The Greeks enter the fixture with high momentum following a stunning 1-0 upset victory over Germany on their home soil. The Dutch will need to find a way to maintain their offensive fluidity without Gakpo, as they look to build on the tactical foundation laid by Xavi.
While the primary concern remains the health of the 27-year-old forward, Liverpool supporters will be monitoring the situation closely as the club enters a demanding period of their domestic campaign. With no definitive timeline for his return, the medical staff at Liverpool is expected to provide a clearer prognosis once they conduct their own comprehensive evaluation of the ankle injury.
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