Photo by Dijks Media/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Dijks Media/MB Media/Getty Images
Liverpool were dealt a double blow during Sunday’s round of international fixtures, with worries emerging over both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.
Isak has returned home to Liverpool after picking up what Sweden boss Graham Potter has described as a ‘minor’ thigh problem, while Gakpo was taken off early into the Netherlands’ win over Serbia having caught his ankle under a strong tackle from Sasa Lukic.
Although hope should remain that both players will benefit from a two-week break before the Reds face Manchester City on October 11th, there is a possibility that neither will make it. Isak and Gakpo have been in excellent form so far this season, and being without either will completely reshape the make-up of Andoni Iraola’s attack. Without his best two attacking performers, however, the Liverpool boss still has three different ways he could line up to hurt City.
🚨 Alexander Isak has suffered a minor injury and is returning to Liverpool early. Give us your reaction 👇
A graphic that reads: "Alexander Isak is to return to Liverpool from international duty due to a minor injury." Image shows Alexander Isak playing for Sweden.
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I think James, if Isak and Gapko don't play, Barcola on the left then Munoz on the right and more than likely Koumas might get a start upfront as he's been playing recently with the Wales national team and he done well for us in the last game whenever he came on, I just hope James Alex And Cody will be alright and their injuries aren't too serious.
Xavi didn't seem to think it was too serious, but it looks worse than Isak's doesn't it. Ankle got caught under the challenge. Could just be bruising maybe, Cody didn't look in too much pain to me, but let's wait and see. What do you think the front three would be without Gakpo/Isak? Maybe Barcola/Munoz/Ngumoha?
Another bloody injury, this time Cody Gapko when does our curse ever end, this stupid Nations League is to blame for this having 4 games in 11 days during international break totally horrendous, they're saying Gapkos injury looks serious as he was brought off after 17 minutes, but I still think we've got enough to beat the scumbags Manchester City
Option one: Victor Munoz shows off his versatility
The only thing certain about a Liverpool attack without Isak and Gakpo is that it absolutely must include Bradley Barcola. The Frenchman is yet to really spark since his £123m move from Paris Saint-Germain, but his importance will surge without his two fellow regular starters.
Iraola obviously wants to use Barcola from the left and the right – and even potentially through the middle – and whatever he chooses to do against City will inform who else plays.
If Liverpool are missing Isak and Gakpo, then it might make the most sense to keep Barcola in his favoured position on the left. Rio Ngumoha might have something to say about that, but whether on the right or the left, Ngumoha and Barcola on the wings still looks like a tough proposition for any defence, Man City’s included.
Victor Munoz was reportedly bought partly because of his ability to play across the front line, and in lieu of signing a natural back-up to Isak, it seems that Liverpool had an eye on the Spaniard playing centrally at times. That might have to be given a first try against City.
Option one: Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz, Rio Ngumoha
Option two: Lewis Koumas gets his chance to shine
The other available option for Iraola to play through the middle – assuming Federico Chiesa is still injured – is Lewis Koumas, who has quickly made himself a favourite of the new head coach.
Koumas has been playing well for Wales during the international break, and injuries to Isak and Gakpo open up the chance for him to make his full Premier League debut against City.
With Barcola on the left, Munoz on the right and Koumas through the middle, Liverpool would have real pace up front, and the academy graduate’s all-action pressing style could be exactly what is needed to further whip up an Anfield crowd who will already be fervent. Iraola could also use Ngumoha in this configuration, but it might be more wise to go with all out speed, meaning Munoz.
Option two: Bradley Barcola, Lewis Koumas, Victor Munoz
Option three: Bradley Barcola goes through the middle
Although the first two options are fairly obvious for Iraola, the possibility that he is missing two starting players could also give him a chance to do something a little more adventurous.
Perhaps City are not the best team to be trying new things against, but the Spaniard could answer the calls to move Florian Wirtz from his attacking midfield role and shift him into his attack instead.
Wirtz often played from the left under Arne Slot, and though he did not always look especially comfortable doing so, he can cause damage drifting into pockets of space centrally.
Iraola could also then try Barcola through the middle. The 24-year-old and Wirtz have shown some understanding in their early matches together, and this could be a way to get Liverpool’s two most dangerous players – on paper – close together.
Munoz might then be the best option on the right, utilising the space left by City defenders being drawn to Barcola and Wirtz on the left. This would also allow Iraola to get Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai on the pitch together, and that could be key against City’s excellent midfield.