Liverpool's stars were back in training on Thursday after the international break, with Andoni Iraola offering mixed news on the injury front during the session
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jérémy Jacquet of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 08, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jeremy Jacquet during a training with his Liverpool teammates(Image: Getty Images)
After nearly three weeks apart, Liverpool’s players were finally reunited on Thursday at the club’s AXA Training Centre.
Andoni Iraola got back down to work with his squad as the Reds returned for their first training session following the extended international break, with all eyes now on Sunday’s game against Manchester City at Anfield.
The fixture needs little introduction, given the backdrop of City’s guilty verdict, which is sure to add plenty of spice to the occasion. Iraola, though, might be a little more worried about the state his squad is in ahead of the game, with more injury concerns than he would have hoped for over the past few weeks.
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As Liverpool’s players returned to training, the club’s photographers were on hand to capture the session, so here’s what we spotted from the session as we build up to Sunday’s game against City…
Jacquet boost
Jeremy Jacquet's absence from France's final game of the international break against Belgium on Monday was a major concern, especially given how well the young defender has performed so far this season.
With reports suggesting a hamstring strain, there were obvious fears that the 21-year-old would end up missing Sunday's game, but those now look to have been allayed.
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KIRKBY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 08, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jacquet in training with Liverpool on Thursday(Image: Getty Images)
Having been pictured during the Reds' gym session earlier in the day, Jacquet was then seen involved in training as normal, so it certainly looks as though he is on course to be involved at the weekend.
It's something Iraola will have to keep a close eye on over the next couple of days, but the early signs are promising ahead of the City game.
Isak and Gakpo missing
What's less encouraging is that there was no sign of Alexander Isak or Cody Gakpo during Thursday's session, with the pair looking like serious doubts for Sunday's game.
Isak withdrew from Sweden's squad after just one game with what has been described as a "minor" thigh problem, while Gakpo was forced home early after picking up an ankle injury against Serbia with the Netherlands.
Early reports would seem to indicate that Gakpo is set for a few weeks out, but there were hopes that Isak's prognosis meant he would be able to recover in time to face City.
With less than three days to go until the game, that is looking very much in doubt now.
Wirtz gesture
The international break probably came at a good time for Florian Wirtz. With his place in Liverpool's side coming under increasing scrutiny, it's fair to say some of the attention has been taken away from him now - he can thank City and the Premier League for that.
But he has also managed to come out of the other side of the break with his reputation enhanced after a couple of more encouraging performances for Germany. The match-winning display against Serbia was followed by a performance that earned plenty of positive reviews, even though his country was held to a goalless draw by Greece.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) General view during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 08, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz was welcomed back by his Liverpool teammates after a promising international break(Image: Getty Images)
And having returned to Liverpool, his contributions appeared to be recognized. Wirtz had to run through a tunnel formed by his teammates while being gently slapped, a gesture which has also been seen when new signings have arrived at the club.
Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez also appeared to undergo the same ritual, suggesting it was reserved for goal scorers during the international break. Wirtz can count himself in an exclusive club, then, which should hopefully boost his confidence.
Mac Allister and Araujo ready to go
Considering Ronald Araujo and Alexis Mac Allister had to travel much further than the rest of their teammates, you might have expected the pair to arrive back at training later than the rest of the squad.
Mac Allister, in particular, would have been forgiven if he needed a bit more time to readjust to life back in the UK, having been the last of the Reds in action, which would have only seen him landing back on Merseyside yesterday.
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Uruguay's tour of Asia, which took it to Japan, South Korea, and India, could have taken it out of Araujo. However, the defender was aided by being rested for his nation's final friendly on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, both players were back in training on Thursday, an encouraging sign that they won't need to be rested on Sunday.
Chiesa returns
You'd be forgiven for forgetting that Federico Chiesa is still at Liverpool. With all the talk surrounding Bradley Barcola's signing in the summer and how he would fit in with the other wingers already at the club, the Italian has been rather pushed to one side.
Yet another injury has not helped his cause, with the 28-year-old still yet to play a game this season, and his exclusion from the Reds' Champions League squad suggests he's not in Iraola's plans at the moment.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 08, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Federico Chiesa was also back in training with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Thursday, though, offered the rare sight of Chiesa in training with the rest of his teammates, and his return may well come at a good time.
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If Isak and Gakpo are indeed out injured, then Chiesa would offer up another option to play up front, having done so before last season. Having not seen any competitive action yet this season, it would be a big ask to throw him straight in against City on Sunday, but his return at least gives Iraola a bit more backup as the fixtures come thick and fast.