Cody Gakpo substituted with injury in Serbia vs Netherlands UEFA Nations League match

Cody Gakpo was substituted with an injury in Belgrade during the Netherlands' UEFA Nations League match against Serbia on September 27, 2026; he was taken off after barely 17 minutes of play.

Gakpo's exit was described as a severe setback for Liverpool during the international break and arrived amid concerns cited by Andoni Iraola over player fitness following a recent issue involving Alexander Isak. Due to a thigh ailment, Isak departed the Sweden camp on Saturday night. Jeremie Frimpong was left off the most recent matchday roster, although it has not been confirmed whether that omission related to fitness.

After barely 17 minutes of play, with the score level, Gakpo left the field and, having tried to continue, indicated to the bench five minutes later that he was unable to do so. He went down to receive treatment and Ruben van Bommel was brought on to replace him.

Gakpo had spoken about recent difficulties and his commitment to Liverpool in an interview with The Telegraph before the injury. He said: "It was a difficult summer for me, and my family, and everything surrounding football and life. 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. "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. If I have no control over the situation, I will not worry. I just do my job."

It has not been confirmed yet.

The Netherlands won the game 2-1 against Serbia.

Iraola will now eagerly await a thorough medical evaluation of Gakpo in the hopes that the problem is not serious.