Liverpool's Gakpo faces weeks out after ankle twist in Nations League
Liverpool’s attack suffered a major setback on 28 September when 27‑year‑old forward Cody Gakpo was forced off early in the first half of the Netherlands’ 2‑1 Nations League win over Serbia, sustaining an ankle injury that has seen him withdraw from the Dutch squad and return to Merseyside for assessment.
The 27‑year‑old forward, who has been one of Liverpool’s in‑form attackers this season, was forced off early in the first half and has officially withdrawn from the Dutch squad to return to Merseyside for detailed assessments.
Scissor‑tackle mechanism
Injury expert Scout explained that Gakpo’s setback resulted from a scissor‑tackle that forced his lower leg and ankle into severe eversion and external rotation. The motion raises primary concern for a syndesmosis or high‑ankle sprain. Scans at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre will be required to rule out any lower‑leg fractures.
If imaging reveals a moderate‑grade syndesmosis or deltoid ligament damage, the forward could be sidelined for three to six weeks. Such an injury would still keep him out of the upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Worst‑case recovery outlook
Should the scans show a high‑grade syndesmosis tear needing surgical repair, Gakpo may miss eight to ten‑plus weeks. The worst‑case timeline would keep him away for the bulk of the season’s second half.
Given the force of the challenge, the Dutchman will be fortunate to escape a prolonged spell, but final timelines depend strictly on the imaging results. The club’s medical team will update his status as soon as the scans are reviewed.
The timing could hardly be worse for Liverpool, as a huge Premier League clash against Manchester City awaits them immediately after the international break. Alexander Isak is also a concern after withdrawing from the Sweden squad, leaving the Reds with uncertainty over two key attackers.
Until the assessments are completed, there is no confirmed recovery timeframe, but the injury mechanism has given Liverpool genuine cause for concern ahead of the Anfield showdown.