Liverpool and Manchester City could be without up to nine players between them at Anfield this Sunday.
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Alexander Isak was forced to leave the Sweden camp (Image: Getty)
The international break is almost over and there is an absolutely enormous Premier League fixture to return to this Sunday. Manchester City's visit to Anfield to face Liverpool has long ranked among the most eagerly awaited fixtures on the English football calendar. Yet the 4.30pm clash this weekend (October 11) has assumed even greater importance given it will mark City's first match since the seismic revelation that they have been found guilty of the majority of the 115 Premier League charges brought against them.
The Reds, perhaps more than most clubs, will feel aggrieved by what Man City - who maintain their innocence and have lodged an appeal against the ruling - have been found to have done.
Therefore, it wouldn't be surprising if the atmosphere at Anfield reaches an extra level of intensity for this one. But City will be confident of an upset regardless.
Following a Community Shield hammering by Arsenal, City have begun the new Premier League campaign remarkably well, securing five wins from five to top the early standings. With wins in the Champions League and Carabao Cup as well, it's been a flawless start for new boss Enzo Maresca.
His counterpart next weekend, Andoni Iraola, hasn't won every match he's managed, but he's yet to experience defeat since assuming control of the Reds, claiming four wins and drawing three of his opening seven matches.
Iraola's preparations have been further complicated by an injury list that has continued to swell throughout the international break. Alexander Isak left the Sweden squad nursing a thigh problem after scoring in a Nations League victory at home to Romania.
Portugal v Norway - UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A4 MD4
Erling Haaland went off with a complaint for Norway (Image: Getty)
While the issue is not believed to be serious, Liverpool supporters have been left anxiously awaiting updates on the assessments Isak has been undergoing back at the AXA Training Centre.
Fellow Reds forward Cody Gakpo has also returned to Kirkby ahead of schedule, having picked up an ankle injury while on duty for the Netherlands.
Iraola will be desperately hoping that one or both players are fit to face City, particularly given Hugo Ekitike remains on the sidelines, though the striker is edging closer to resuming full training before the year draws to a close.
Two further long-term injury absentees will also miss next Sunday's clash. While Conor Bradley must wait a little longer before rejoining the main group on the grass at the club's training base, Giovanni Leoni is now making significant strides towards doing exactly that.
Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Federico Chiesa remains unclear, with the Italian yet to kick a ball so far this season.
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That accounts for six players either sidelined or doubtful for Liverpool. But City have injury concerns of their own, including talismanic centre-forward Erling Haaland.
During the 65th minute of Norway's Nations League match against Norway in Lisbon, Haaland gestured to the bench that he was experiencing discomfort following an attack. He was replaced in the 67th minute by Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Haaland appeared to be dealing with an apparent muscular issue. Head coach Stale Solbakken played down major concerns immediately after the match, suggesting he does not believe the underlying issue is severe.
The one member of the City squad guaranteed to play no part at Anfield is Phil Foden, after he was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes during the 1-0 derby triumph over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Foden faces a suspension, while question marks hang over the availability of Antoine Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly, who pulled out of the Ghana and England squads, respectively.