Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has provided the latest on Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo after they both sustained injuries during the international break
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during a press conference.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during a press conference.(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola has offered an injury update on Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. The pair both picked up injuries during the expanded international break and had to withdraw from the Sweden and Netherlands squads respectively as they returned to the AXA Training Centre for further medical assessment.
Isak's injury was said to be minor with Sweden boss Graham Potter revealing the striker had pulled out of his squad with a thigh issue. Meanwhile, Gakposuffered a ankle injury and had to be substituted early on in the Netherlands’ victory in Serbia, with reports in the winger's homeland suggesting he is set for a number of weeks on the sidelines.
Liverpool could face a shortage in attack if the in-form players are unavailable for return to club action against Man City, with Lewis Koumas potentially their only available natural senior striker.
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Hugo Ekitike remains a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury, while Federico Chiesa is yet to feature this season after suffering an injury at the back-end of pre-season - though Iraola had claimed last month that the Italian could return to training during the international break.
And the Reds head coach has now offered an update on Isak and Gakpo, but was giving little away regarding whether either would be passed fit to face City.
“I think Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries,” Iraola told beIN SPORTS. “Now it's a matter of if they are going to recover in time to help us in the next game or not. But right now they are both injured.”
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Liverpool currently sit sixth in the Premier League table but remain unbeaten under Iraola ahead of their showdown with leaders Man City.
Enzo Maresca’s men have won all five of their Premier League matches so far, but will return to action themselves under a cloud after it was announced during the international break that the club had been found guilty of breaching the English top-flight’s financial regulations.
Looking ahead to the game, Iraola conceded his side will have to be at their very best if they are to become the first team to take points off City this season.
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2: Liverpool FC Head Coach Andoni Iraola concentrates after the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola, pictured on the club's tour of the US(Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
“I think it's a big game and I think everyone is expecting to play, to watch, to be part of that game,” he said. “I think we are playing against the team that is right now at the top of the league, so definitely it's an important game for us.
“We know we will have to be at our best and also I know that the people will be looking to help the team.
“We've been unbeaten but they've won all of them, so it makes a big difference in their side. I think we need to be very, very good if we want to beat City because they've been especially offensively scoring a lot of goals lately.
“We know the names that are very dangerous. But I think also we've shown good defensive improvements lately and I hope we can defend the threats that they have and also hurt them on the other side.”
Meanwhile, Iraola has backed his Liverpool team to fight for titles in the future having been impressed by his players since taking over as the club's new boss.
“I think the international break is a moment to reflect because we have normally a crazier schedule,” he said. “You go two, three days preparing the next game. Then you need, I think, a break, analyse how the season has gone so far.
“I think we have a good amount of games already to analyse and see the things that we've done well and things that I think can improve. We didn't have a specific this points [total] or this position or this. No, I think we have to arrive as high as we can, we have to be the best team we can be.
“I don't know where this will put us but I'm sure that if we can give these players a good platform, a good structure, we will be there fighting for the titles, yes.”
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