Liverpool are awaiting the results of scans on Cody Gakpo after the forward suffered an ankle injury during the Netherlands’ 2-1 Nations League victory over Serbia, raising doubts over his availability for the Premier League meeting with Manchester City.
The 27-year-old was taken off in the first half and has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad to return to Merseyside for further assessment at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre.
Cody Gakpo injury raises concern over lengthy absence
An analysis of the incident by injury specialist Physio Scout suggested that the challenge forced Gakpo’s ankle into eversion and external rotation. That mechanism can be associated with a syndesmosis, or high ankle, sprain, although scans are needed to establish the extent of the damage.
The examinations will also be used to rule out any fracture to the lower leg. Liverpool do not yet have a confirmed recovery timeframe, with the final prognosis dependent on the imaging results.
A moderate syndesmosis or deltoid ligament injury could mean an absence of between three and six weeks. A more serious syndesmosis tear requiring surgery could keep Gakpo out for eight to 10 weeks or longer.
Gakpo’s injury comes at an unwelcome moment for Liverpool, with the Manchester City fixture scheduled for immediately after the international break. The forward has been among the club’s leading attacking performers this season.
There is further uncertainty over Alexander Isak, who has also withdrawn from the Sweden squad while on international duty because of an injury concern.
Liverpool could therefore face Manchester City with doubts over two important attacking players. The results of Gakpo’s scans will determine whether he has any realistic prospect of featuring at Anfield.
