Liverpool's players returned to training on Thursday following the international break, with pictures released by the club hinting at the fitness of Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak are both doubts for Liverpool's game against Manchester City
Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak are both doubts for Liverpool's game against Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
Doubts are growing about Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ahead of Liverpool’s game against Manchester City, with neither of the pair having been spotted during the Reds’ return to training.
Andoni Iraola’s side will be back in action on Sunday as it hosts City in a game that will have some added spice after the Etihad club was found guilty of the majority of the charges handed down to it by the Premier League.
Ahead of the game, Liverpool’s players returned to training at the AXA Training Centre on Thursday following the international break, but there were two notable absentees.
Both Isak and Gakpo have been absent from the club's pictures released throughout the day, raising concerns that the pair will miss Sunday’s game.
Isak and Gakpo were both forced to pull out of international duty early due to injury, with the former returning home after one game with what was described as a “minor” thigh issue, while the latter picked up an ankle injury while playing against Serbia.
Early reports suggested that Gakpo could face weeks out with his injury, but hopes were raised that Isak would be able to recover in time to face City, although the latest pictures from Liverpool’s training ground put that in major doubt.
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Gakpo is a doubt for Liverpool after injuring his ankle with the Netherlands
Gakpo is a doubt for Liverpool after injuring his ankle with the Netherlands(Image: Getty Images)
There was some good news from Thursday’s training session, though, with Jeremy Jacquet seen getting involved after his own injury scare with France.
The young defender missed his country’s final game of the international break against Belgium, with reports in France indicating he had been left out after feeling a hamstring strain in training.
Jacquet, though, was pictured during Liverpool’s gym session and then taking to the pitch with the rest of his teammates, which would seemingly allay any immediate fears over his fitness.
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The Reds were also boosted by the presence of Ronald Araujo and Alexis Mac Allister on Thursday, both of whom may have been expected to return later than the rest of their teammates, having been in action in Asia and South America during the break.
Iraola will be expected to give an update on the fitness of his players when he speaks to the media at his pre-match press conference on Friday, when he will be able to give more information on Isak and Gakpo’s injuries.
Speaking about the pair in an interview with beIN Sports earlier this week, Iraola said: “I think Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries.
“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.”