Cody Gakpo to play on at World Cup as Virgil van Dijk supports Liverpool team-mate

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Liverpool star Cody Gakpo is ready to feature for the Netherlands at the World Cup just days after his partner shared news of a miscarriageLiverpool forward Cody Gakpo has made himself available for the Netherlands' World Cup clash with Morocco, just days after his partner revealed she had suffered a miscarriage.And Reds and Oranje captain Virgil van Dijk has rallied around Gakpo and his family, praising how they have dealt with the tragic situation in recent days.On Saturday, Gakpo's girlfriend, Noa van der Bij, detailed on social media how their son, whom the couple had named Elijah, had died during pregnancy.The news led to an outpouring of support for Gakpo and his family but the Reds attacker has declared himself ready to play a part for Ronald Koeman's side when they meet Morocco at Estadio Monterrey at 2am UK time on Tuesday morning."Being there for Cody is the most important thing," Van Dijk told a press conference on Sunday."It's terrible. He dealt with it very maturely."I have a lot of respect for how he, but also Noa and his family, have handled this."In the press conference to preview the game with the North African nation, Koeman explained how the national side were willing to give Gakpo time off only for the frontman to express his desire to feature."That was sad news we heard," Koeman said.

"What Cody, his wife and family have been told. There has never been a moment when he said, 'I want to go back [home]' or 'I want to be with the family.'"He has assessed that himself and done it in his own way.

I think that shows maturity, how he and the family have dealt with this.""So he's ready to play and it doesn't weigh on his performance. He does this in his own way with the family, and that is very strong and beautiful."We have left it that way.