Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are both doubts for Liverpool's game against Manchester City after returning early from the international break, with Andoni Iraola providing an update on the pair
Liverpool's Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak and Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola look on after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 12, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Andoni Iraola could be without Alexander Isak when Liverpool faces Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has provided an update on Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo after the pair returned to Liverpool early from the international break with injuries.
Both players are doubts for the Reds’ return to action against Manchester City on Sunday, with Isak having left Sweden’s camp after just one game, while Gakpo was forced to return home after picking up an ankle injury in the Netherlands’ second game of the break against Serbia.
Isak’s issue has been described as a “minor” thigh injury, which has raised hopes that he could recover in time for the visit of City. Despite playing just one game for his country, the 27-year-old continued his fine start to the season with a goal against Romania.
Gakpo though looks to be a much bigger worry, with early reports suggesting he could face weeks out of action. Speaking in a new interview with beIN Sports (via LiverpoolFC.com), Iraola was unable to provide any more information, with the Reds’ boss facing a nervous wait as players begin to return to training over the next couple of days.
“I think Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries,” Iraola said.
“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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Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo and Serbia midfielder Sasa Lukic during the UEFA Nations League match between Serbia and the Netherlands at Rajko Mitic Stadion in Belgrade, on September 27, 2026. (Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Cody Gakpo is a doubt for Liverpool after injuring his ankle with the Netherlands(Image: Getty Images)
Iraola also faces doubts over Jeremy Jacquet, with the defender having missed France’s game against Belgium on Monday amid reports of a hamstring strain in training. No update has yet been given on the 21-year-old’s fitness from Liverpool.
The Reds will be aiming to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they host City on Sunday, with Iraola satisfied with his team’s showings so far, albeit with a clear idea of what needs to improve.
“I think the international break is a moment to reflect because we have normally a crazier schedule,” Iraola reflected.
“You go two, three days preparing the next game. Then you need, I think, a break, analyze how the season has gone so far. I think we have a good amount of games already to analyze and see the things that we've done well and things that I think can improve.”
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The Liverpool boss added: “I think the goal is quite clear and I think everyone understands what we are trying to build.
“Try to be more intense, more vertical, but also you want to control the games and you don't want the games to become... for example, I think in Newcastle we played a good game but probably we conceded two goals in transition [and] you want to control a little bit more of the games.
“I think lately we've been controlling the games much more but we lacked a little bit [of] this offensive fluidity that we had in the first game. So, now it's a matter of balancing this a little.
“Obviously we want to attack very well and defend very well. But sometimes you have to choose or you have to adapt the team to what you prefer or what is the requirements of a specific game. And we are trying to balance all this.”