Gakpo’s Early Exit in Belgrade Deepens Liverpool’s Growing Injury Crisis Ahead of Crucial Fixtures
Dutch forward exits after heavy challenge from Sasa Lukic, adding to growing list of Liverpool absences during international break
The sight of Cody Gakpo limping off in Belgrade on Tuesday night will have sent a shudder through Anfield. After just 17 minutes of the Netherlands’ qualifier against Serbia, the Liverpool forward was swallowed by a pile of medical staff and carried off with his left ankle heavily taped, replaced by Ruben van Bommel. For a squad already stretched thin, the timing could hardly be worse.
What unfolded on the pitch in Serbia was a microcosm of Gakpo’s broader struggle for consistency and confidence. A thunderous challenge from Sasa Lukic after only twelve minutes sent a clear warning — the Serbia midfielder received a yellow card for the contact, but the real cost may fall on Liverpool’s shoulders. Gakpo attempted to shake it off, only to crumple to the turf minutes later clutching his ankle. The Netherlands medical team worked quickly, but the image of him being helped off, visibly in pain, told its own story.
This is not the first time Liverpool’s attacking options have been compromised during this international window. Alexander Isak departed Sweden’s squad with a reported thigh issue, while Jeremie Frimpong never made it into the Netherlands matchday squad at all — the reason for his absence remains unconfirmed by the Dutch camp, leaving Liverpool supporters to speculate whether it was a precautionary measure or something more concerning. When combined with Gakpo’s exit, the pattern is unmistakable: a club that has relied heavily on a compact squad is now losing key players at precisely the moment they need every available body.
Andoni Iraola‘s side face a punishing sequence of Premier League and European fixtures against Manchester City, LASK, and Brentford in quick succession. The Basque manager has leaned on Gakpo as a versatile forward capable of operating across the front line — a trait that has proven invaluable during a season marked by injuries and suspensions elsewhere. Losing him for any meaningful period would force difficult tactical decisions at a time when squad depth is already under scrutiny.
Gakpo’s contribution this season should not be underestimated. He arrived at Anfield from PSV Eindhoven with a reputation for hard work and versatility, and has gradually become a fixture in Liverpool’s attacking rotations. His strike against Germany in a recent international friendly — an injury-time equaliser that salvaged a 1-1 draw — demonstrated the kind of clutch quality that makes him valuable. The fact that he was visibly in good form before the Serbia match makes the nature of his exit all the more frustrating.
Away from the pitch, the forward has navigated a turbulent summer defined by transfer speculation. Reports linked him to Tottenham and Manchester City throughout the window, casting a shadow over his focus. Gakpo addressed the distraction publicly this week, speaking candidly about the pressure of the off-season period. “It was a difficult summer for me, and my family, and everything surrounding football and life,” he said. “It’s a very long story. The summer was very tough regarding everything. I just let everything be and see how it came and it worked out in this way, which now it is what it is.” He emphasised his commitment to Liverpool, stating, “We have to do the things we can control to the best of our ability. That’s the only thing I can do and the rest is out of our hands.”
The broader context matters too. Liverpool’s injury record across recent seasons has been a recurring theme in discussions about the club’s recruitment and fitness strategies. With the January transfer window still months away, any prolonged absence from the current attacking group would leave Iraola with limited options. The Dutch national team’s medical staff will now conduct further assessments to determine the severity — whether it is a minor sprain or something requiring a longer recovery period.
For Liverpool fans already anxious about the fixture pile-up, the next 48 hours of updates from the Netherlands camp will be critical. Until then, the club can only monitor and hope that the worst-case scenario remains off the table.
