Liverpool have two threads to follow this week: a fresh Alexander Isak injury concern from international duty, and Jürgen Klopp’s defence of Florian Wirtz. As of 28 September 2026, here is where both stand, alongside the club’s Premier League form under Andoni Iraola.
Latest Liverpool squad update on Isak and Wirtz
Alexander Isak flew back to Anfield early from Sweden duty after damaging his toe against Romania. Florian Wirtz, meanwhile, continues to settle under Iraola and has started every league game so far this season.
Liverpool currently sit sixth in the Premier League, with two wins and three draws from their opening matches. Isak had been among the goals before the break, including the winner covered in our report on Isak’s recent winning goal against Bournemouth, having been named in the starting XI lineup selection for that fixture.
Jürgen Klopp reflects on Florian Wirtz transition and Diogo Jota context
Klopp used his media duties to explain the circumstances Wirtz arrived into at Liverpool. According to Jürgen Klopp, the £125million signing from Bayer Leverkusen joined the club at a very difficult time, in the aftermath of Diogo Jota’s passing.
“When you look at the overall context, Flo joined Liverpool at a very unfortunate time. It’s about the passing of Diogo Jota. He joined a team with the players whose priority was not football at that time, which is very understandable. He learned a lot from his first year. Now is a new season under a new coach; he started all games, I think. He’s physically doing very well. The team is starting to find itself again. Attacking players always need a functioning team around them. Everyone who loves football can still see what an outstanding player Flo Wirtz is. His footballing ability is beyond any doubt. He is on a good path, but people are never satisfied with how quickly things happen. We have to make sure that Flo feels comfortable with us and can fit into what we want from him. With us, hopefully, he can simply be Flo.”
Klopp’s point was straightforward. Wirtz’s ability was never in question; it was the surrounding context that made his first year harder than expected. Now, under Iraola, he looks physically sharper and has been a regular starter.
Alexander Isak injury update: Sweden international returns to Anfield with toe damage
Alexander Isak has come back to Anfield carrying a damaged toe, picked up during Sweden’s match against Romania. The setback rules him out of Sweden’s fixtures against Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, plus the return leg against Romania.
This Alexander Isak injury news ends his involvement in the current international window, though no timeline has been given for his Liverpool return beyond those missed Sweden matches. Isak himself described the moment it happened.
“It was a real blow. You can see it. It was a real punch. Those of you who have played may know that it takes a few minutes before it releases, but it was okay.”
Further detail on the incident and Isak’s comments was reported by the Liverpool Echo report.
What happens next
Iraola has already flagged a demanding stretch of fixtures once the international break ends, with games against top-four opposition, Champions League nights and a Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea packed into quick succession.
“I think overall we’ve improved, definitely since the first games. Some of the things we still need to improve, more things. I am happy it is the third clean sheet in a row in the league. But we still have to get ready because the schedule that we have now, it’s very difficult. I think we are playing against top-four teams and then in between Champions [League] and then in between Chelsea in the Carabao [Cup] and everything in two, three days. So we have to get ready because this next month, after this break, it’s going be very demanding for us.”
Managing that schedule will shape Andoni Iraola’s tactical options, particularly with Isak sidelined for Sweden and Wirtz still building match sharpness. For now, Liverpool sit sixth in the table and wait on further news of Isak’s toe before the busy month ahead begins.
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