Liverpool will be hoping that Cody Gakpo recovers from his illness in time to face Manchester City this weekend.
The Reds forward was initially named in the Netherlands squad for their Euro 2024 qualifying double header against France and Gibraltar this month. However, he was withdrawn last week after suffering from an illness.
Despite being withdrawn, it was confirmed days later that Gakpo had returned to training with his country and had seemingly recovered from the illness. But it remains to be seen whether he will be fit for tonight's (Monday) match with Gilbraltar - or Liverpool’s trip to Man City.
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Jurgen Klopp’s side travel to the Etihad Stadium in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League, and the Reds boss will hope to have Gakpo at his disposal.
Here, the ECHO looks at the latest on Gakpo’s fitness and what has been said about the Liverpool forward.
Netherlands decision on Cody Gakpo
It has been confirmed that Gakpo has returned to the Netherlands squad after being withdrawn due to illness.
The Liverpool forward missed the Netherlands' 4-0 defeat to France in their Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday night in Paris, where Reds team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate starred on opposing sides.
Now it has been confirmed that Gakpo has returned to training with the Netherlands squad, but it has not yet been stated whether or not he will be available to face Gibraltar on Monday evening.
What Ronald Koeman has said about Cody Gakpo
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman was rather coy on whether Gakpo had recovered enough to return to action following his illness.
As well as Gakpo, Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt and Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen have also returned to training following their withdrawal from the squad due to illness.
When asked about Gakpo’s availability, Koeman said: ‘We’ll decide in the hours before the match how Cody is feeling.”
Possible Cody Gakpo return date
Given that Gakpo has now returned to the Netherlands squad after his illness, he could well be available to faceCity on Saturday.
Klopp will likely want to assess Gakpo himself with his own eyes, and those of his backroom staff, before making a concrete decision on the forward’s availability.
Gakpo will return to Merseyside later this week to take part in training in the build up to Liverpool’s clash against City. It’s here where the Dutch international will be assessed by the Reds medical team as they make a judgement on whether he will be available for the Etihad showdown.
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