Isak and Gakpo both injured and doubtful for Liverpool's clash with league-leaders City

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola confirmed on Friday that Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are “both injured” and in serious doubt for Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City at Anfield, a fixture that could define the early-season title picture.

Isak sustained a thigh problem during Sweden’s game against Romania on 25 September. Sweden manager Graham Potter described it as a “small problem” but said the striker was unable to continue with the international camp given the volume of fixtures ahead. “Unfortunately after getting it checked out, it’s a little bit more than what you think during the match,” Potter explained.

Gakpo’s issue came via a heavy challenge from Serbia midfielder Sasa Lukic, which forced the Netherlands forward off the pitch. The 25-year-old has contributed two goals and four assists in six appearances for Liverpool this season, making his absence a significant concern.

Iraola was measured but candid when addressing the situation. “I think Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries,” he said. “Now it’s a matter of if they are going to recover in time to help us in the next game or not. But right now they are both injured.”

The timing could hardly be worse. City arrive at Anfield having won all five of their Premier League games, sitting top of the table, while Liverpool have been unbeaten but have drawn matches City have won. Isak himself has scored four goals in five league appearances this term, underlining just how much Iraola’s attack depends on the pair.

Despite the setbacks, Iraola acknowledged the scale of the challenge while pointing to his side’s defensive progress. “We’ve been unbeaten but they’ve won all of them, so it makes a big difference,” he said. “I think we need to be very, very good if we want to beat City because they’ve been especially offensively scoring a lot of goals lately. We know the names that are very dangerous. But I think also we’ve shown good defensive improvements lately and I hope we can defend the threats that they have and also hurt them on the other side.”