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Cody Gakpo hands Liverpool fitness boost before Man City after 'chicken curry'

  /  Stamfordblue

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has rejoined the Netherlands squad after missing their opening Euro 2024 qualifier against France.

Gakpo was one of five players to withdraw from Ronald Koeman's squad ahead of their 4-0 loss to World Cup finalists France in Paris on Friday.

It was reported an undercooked chicken curry was the problem in the Netherlands camp. However, boss Koeman insisted it was a viral infection.

Bayern Munich defender Matthijs De Ligt and third-choice goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen have also recovered enough to resume training alongside Gakpo ahead of the Netherlands' clash with Gibraltar in Rotterdam tonight (Monday).

Former Everton manager Koeman said: "We'll decide in the hours before the match how Cody is feeling."

Gakpo was a key man for the Netherlands in the winter World Cup in Qatar after scoring three times from an attacking midfield position.

Those showings helped seal the 23-year-old a January transfer window move to Liverpool, who paid around £40m for his services.

Gakpo has scored four goals in 11 games for the Reds, including a brilliant brace in the 7-0 mauling of Manchester United at Anfield.