AnfieldXtra has reported a dramatic shift in the international and club prospects of two high-profile footballers. The headline centers on Jeremie Frimpong, with the outlet claiming that the right-back will retire from international football in the summer. The report frames this as a major decision, suggesting that Frimpong’s international career is nearing its end even before the next major tournament cycle is fully resolved. For a player who has built his reputation on pace, attacking threat, and modern full-back play, retiring from international duty would be a significant sporting statement and a clear signal of a new chapter.
Alongside this first shock, the same report links a second major development to Liverpool, pointing to Cody Gakpo’s situation. AnfieldXtra states that Gakpo has decided he is no longer part of the Netherlands plans for the World Cup. The phrasing implies that the change is not just a team-selection issue but rather a more definitive step by the player himself, indicating he has concluded that his best path forward does not involve the Netherlands squad for the tournament.
This claim matters for two reasons. First, it suggests a rupture in continuity: Gakpo’s status in the Netherlands picture is presented as changing quickly, likely after a difficult period. Second, it has direct knock-on effects for his club future. AnfieldXtra ties Gakpo’s potential exit from the Netherlands World Cup plan to Arne Slot’s Liverpool considerations, stating that he soon will not be part of Slot’s plans either.
The report also references context around performance, pointing to “a terrible season” as part of the narrative connecting these decisions. While the details of that season are not laid out in the excerpt provided, the implication is that the string of results and overall form for one or both players has influenced how their careers are being reassessed. In modern football, clubs and national teams often make tactical and squad-shaping decisions after poor stretches, especially when managers look to refresh the group, shift roles, or reduce reliance on players whose contributions have not matched earlier expectations.
For Frimpong, the suggestion that he will retire from international football in the summer indicates either a personal choice regarding workload and long-term goals or a response to circumstances that have made continuing international involvement less appealing. International football typically demands a heavy schedule, recovery, travel, and heightened performance under tournament pressure. A retirement announcement would therefore reshape how the Netherlands (and any other national setup that might consider him) plan for the future right-back role.
For Gakpo, the report presents an even more direct path toward change. Declaring that he is no longer part of Netherlands plans for the World Cup suggests the player has chosen to step back from international competition in that specific tournament cycle. If true, that would affect how the Netherlands approach squad depth and selection, potentially forcing them to identify alternative attacking options and reshape their tournament strategy. It also changes the player’s offseason narrative: instead of focusing on international preparation, he would presumably shift his attention entirely to club considerations and his relationship with Liverpool.
When AnfieldXtra moves from Netherlands to Liverpool, the report becomes a key piece of transfer and squad planning speculation. The outlet says Gakpo will soon not be part of Arne Slot’s plans at Anfield. That statement positions Gakpo as a likely departure or relegation to a diminished role, depending on how Slot chooses to restructure his team. Whether the outcome is a transfer, loan, or simply a reduced matchday presence, the impact on Liverpool would be notable given how much attention and expectation typically surrounds a player of Gakpo’s profile.
Together, these two claims paint a picture of significant change: Frimpong stepping away from international football, and Gakpo potentially stepping away from both the Netherlands World Cup plans and Liverpool’s immediate tactical direction. While such reports require verification and can evolve as official decisions emerge, the framing from AnfieldXtra indicates urgent developments and a likely summer period of reassessment for both players.
Source: AnfieldXtra
AnfieldXtra: [🚨] BREAKING: Jeremie Frimpong will RETIRE from international football in the summer. After a terrible season, Cody Gakpo has decided he’s no longer part of Netherlands plans for the World Cup and soon will not be a part of Arne Slot’s plans at Liverpool.. #breaking
— @TheAnfieldXtra_ May 1, 2026
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