Gakpo Requests Privacy After Loss of Unborn Son

Liverpool and Netherlands national team forward Cody Gakpo has requested "privacy and personal space" following the tragic loss of his unborn son.

The heartbreaking news was shared on Saturday by his partner, model Noa van der Bij. The couple was expecting their second child, due in October.

Van der Bij posted a photo on social media showing their hands clasped over a blanket and a knitted hat.

"With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy," she wrote. "Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Rafael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son."

She later shared an image of a candle and a cross with the message: "We went to church to light a candle. Then we walked to the churchyard with our son Samuel."

"There was only one other child there. His name was Elijah. There couldn't have been a more beautiful sign from God. He reminded us that our little boy is never far away."

In his own post, Gakpo, currently with the Netherlands national team for the World Cup, wrote: "This is an extremely difficult time for our family."

"We ask for privacy and personal space. Thank you for your understanding."

The 27-year-old footballer has started all three of the Netherlands' group stage matches at the World Cup, helping his country qualify for the knockout rounds by scoring two goals against Sweden.

The Netherlands' next match is against Morocco in the Round of 16 on Tuesday (4:00 AM Bulgarian time) in Mexico.