The very latest injury and team news from the Liverpool and Manchester City camps, six days ahead of the massive Premier League match at Anfield
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Alexander Isak of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Cody Gakpo during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
In-form Liverpool pair Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak could be doubts for the big game against Manchester City (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
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Just six days to go, people. While England were genuinely scintillating viewing in their 7-0 success in Croatia on Saturday night, this international break cannot come to an end soon enough.
But at least there is an absolutely massive Liverpool match to come back to. A visit of Manchester City to Anfield has long been one of the most anticipated on the English football fixture calendar.
But the 4.30pm showdown next Sunday (October 11) has taken on greater significance given it will be the first game City will have played since the bombshell news that they have been found guilty of the majority of the 115 Premier League charges levelled at them.
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The Reds, more than most clubs, will feel wronged by what the Etihad Stadium outfit - who maintain their innocence and have appealed against the verdict - have been found to have done.
So it would be no surprise if the atmosphere at Anfield is turned up a notch this time next week.
And the Liverpool players will need the support of the fans. After a Community Shield trouncing by Arsenal, City have started the new Premier League season exceptionally well, winning five out of five to sit top of the early table.
With victories in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, too, it has been a perfect start for new manager Enzo Maresca.
His opposite number next weekend Andoni Iraola, hasn't won every match he's overseen, but he is yet to taste defeat since taking over the Reds, winning four and drawing three of his first seven outings.
And Iraola hasn't been helped by an injury list that has grown bigger over the international break.
Alexander Isak left the Sweden squad with a thigh problem after netting in a Nations League win at home to Romania. And while the issue is not said to be serious, Liverpool supporters have been left to wait on news on the assessments Isak has been undergoing back at the AXA Training Centre.
Another Reds forward who has returned to Kirkby earlier than expected is Cody Gakpo after he sustained an ankle injury while playing for the Netherlands.
Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands battles for possession with Sasa Lukic of Serbia during the UEFA Nations League match between Serbia and the Netherlands
Cody Gakpo was forced off in the first half of the Netherlands' win over Serbia with an ankle injury(Image: Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
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Iraola will be desperate for one or both to be fit to face City given Hugo Ekitike remains sidelined, although the striker is closing in on a return to full training before the year is out.
Two more long-term injury victims will also play no part next Sunday. But whereas Conor Bradley will have to wait a little longer to be back among the main group on the grass at the club's training base, Giovanni Leoni is now getting increasingly close to doing just that.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen what is the latest on Federico Chiesa, who has yet to kick a ball so far this season.
So that's six players out or potentially out for Liverpool. What about City?
The one member of their squad who will definitely not face the Reds is Phil Foden, after he was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes during the 1-0 derby win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Foden will be suspended while there are doubts over the participation of Antoine Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly after they withdrew from the Ghana and England squads respectively.
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