While there are concerns over the injuries sustained by Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, should they prove minor, it could work in Liverpool's favour
Andoni Iraola head coach of Liverpool celebrates at full time following the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield
Andoni Iraola head coach of Liverpool celebrates at full time following the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield(Image: 2026 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
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You could almost hear the groans from the red half of Merseyside that accompanied the news that Alexander Isak had withdrawn from the Sweden squad because of injury on Sunday.
The Liverpool striker has started the season in eye-catching form, scoring five goals from seven starts for club and country. But after netting in his homeland’s 2-1 win over Romania in their Nations League opener, it emerged that his participation in this expanded September/October international break would be ended prematurely.
Sweden boss Graham Potter had revealed ahead of facing Romania that he was confident that he would be able to call upon Isak in all four of their matches during the ongoing window.
However, after completing 90 minutes against Romania, it emerged that the £125m man had succumbed to a thigh injury and would return to Liverpool for medical assessment.
His issue has been played down as only minor. But given his injury past, having been limited to just 22 appearances during his first season on Merseyside, and with Hugo Ekitike already a long-term absentee, the anxiety of those of a Reds persuasion is perfectly understandable. Especially when Andoni Iraola’s side return to action at home to league-leaders Manchester City on Sunday, October 11.
Yet as far as injuries go, this Isak update could actually work out well for Liverpool - depending on whether his thigh injury really does prove to be only minor.
Rather than playing four times in 11 days, the Reds’ only ‘available’ senior striker is afforded two weeks of rest and recovery ahead of the big clash City.
And even if he is unable to prove his fitness in time to face Enzo Maresca’s men, with the game beginning a run of seven in 20 days for Iraola’s side, Isak is arguably better placed to manage it once back fit.
It is perhaps no surprise that players are succumbing to injury in this more extensive international break. The Reds also saw Cody Gakpo limp off after just 17 minutes in the Netherlands' meeting with Serbia on Sunday.
It remains to be seen just how severe the Dutchman's injury is - his national team manager, Xavi, said he didn't think it was serious - with Liverpool crossing their fingers that any setback will no doubt only be minor. If so, a reduced workload could also pay off - though at this point, that is a big if.
Yet at the same time, despite the two injury blows, it has also been relatively kind to Iraola’s players, so far at least.
Alisson Becker was spared international duty altogether by Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti, ensuring he joined the likes of Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez in enjoying a restful break.
But even with 18 members of Iraola’s senior squad currently away with their nations, many aren’t being worked to the bone.
Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz were both left out of the England and Spain matchday squads when the two nations faced off at Wembley on Saturday evening, with Jeremie Frimpong suffering the same fate for the Netherlands’ trip to Serbia. The Liverpool defender had been left as an unused substitute for their opening Nations League clash with Germany.
Elsewhere, while injuries to Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala forced Jurgen Klopp to call up Florian Wirtz early, having initially intended to only select him for Germany’s second two games during the break, the former Liverpool boss confirmed the playmaker would only be utilised as a substitute against Greece - he came on in the 65th minute - with his managed workload somewhat preserved as a result.
Meanwhile, Bradley Barcola was only called upon as a 78th-minute substitute for France’s 1-0 victory over Turkey, while Jeremy Jacquet was left unused on the bench altogether. And while Lewis Koumas started for Wales against Portugal, he was named on the bench for their second Nations League clash against Denmark as Craig Bellamy made use of his wider ranks.
And in South America, Alexis Mac Allister and Ronald Araujo are mercifully taking part in three international friendlies for Argentina and Uruguay respectively, rather than the four competitive games facing senior European players - though Trey Nyoni is also facing a reduced schedule of three games while away with England Under-20s.
Admittedly, there is still plenty of international football to be played before club action returns. And the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez could be involved for their nations throughout the break’s entirety.
But with Iraola having to manage his squad carefully during Liverpool’s own extensive run of fixtures in the not-too-distant future, it should be some relief that a significant number of his ranks are avoiding any risk of early-season burnout.