Liverpool suffer another injury blow as Cody Gakpo hurt on international duty

· Mirror

Cody Gakpo was forced off with an injury just 17 minutes into the Netherlands' clash with Serbia in the Nations League, providing Liverpool with another scare during the international break

Liverpool have been dealt a second injury blow in a matter of hours after Cody Gakpo had to be substituted for the Netherlands. Gakpo, 27, signalled to come off in the 17th minute of Sunday's game away to Serbia after being on the end of two strong challenges in quick succesion.

The forward had scored for his country last time out to earn a 1-1 draw with Germany on Thursday, continuing a hot streak of form. But Gakpo's productive start to the season could be halted by the injury, having limped off the pitch during the Nations League fixture.

Netherlands boss Xavi Hernandez is expected to provide an update at full-time. Earlier on Sunday, Liverpool discovered that Alexander Isak had picked up a thigh injury while playing for Sweden.

The striker has now left Sweden's camp and will miss their three remaining matches. Although Liverpool don't return to action until October 11 against Manchester City, Reds boss Andoni Iraola will likely be sweating over his team selection already.

Gakpo and Isak have already combined for four goals this season, including their 1-0 win at Bournemouth prior to the international break. Sweden boss Graham Potter explained the nature of Isak's injury in a press conference before their match at home to Poland on Monday.

> "He's got a small problem with his thigh," Potter said. "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. > > "Not a big one but it's frustrating for him and obviously for us. It is what it is but we move forward with the players we have. > > "It was during the game. Like anything, you sometimes get bumps and bruises in the game, you might think it's a bit of a dead leg or something. But actually as the 24 hours, 48 hours after the game, not quite what you think.

> "Unfortunately after getting it checked out, it's a little bit more than what you think during the match. He has to miss the rest of the camp. > > "Our medical team has been in contact with the club. Obviously it's our decision in the first place because of his status, in terms of his injury. Once that's the case, we have to inform everybody. That's just normal. > > "We've got a really big squad that we believe in. Clearly there's not another Alexander Isak, that's obvious. > > "In an ideal world, we want all our players available but the reality is we don't have Alex for this game… clearly whoever comes in, we're not going to ask them to be Alex. They just need to be themselves in the best way they can."

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