Liverpool could be forced into a major change against Manchester City with both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo potentially out, but Andoni Iraola's summer transfer call could be about to pay off
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Andoni Iraola, Head Coach 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)
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola(Image: Getty Images)
Being without your main source of goals is bad enough. Missing your top two contributors against the league leaders is a whole other matter.
Three weeks on from its last game, Liverpool will finally return to action on Sunday, and you will need to have been living under a rock not to know who its opponent is.
The visit of Manchester City is certain to add some spice to what tends to be a pretty tasty occasion anyway, given the guilty verdict that has finally been handed down to the Etihad club. Liverpool fans certainly won’t be in the mood to show their visitors any sympathy, but even with a baying crowd behind them, the Reds will be in for their toughest test yet.
Both sides are unbeaten, but City sits six points ahead of Liverpool already after winning all of its games. Andoni Iraola will therefore need all the firepower he can muster, but it looks as though he may have to compromise.
Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are both major doubts for Sunday, and their absence from training on Thursday doesn’t look too promising. Between them, they’ve had a hand in eight of Liverpool’s 12 goals in all competitions this season, so you can’t understate how big a miss they could be.
It’s not just that, though. With Hugo Ekitike not expected back until December at the earliest, Gakpo was effectively next in line to Isak for the No.9 slot, so without both players, Iraola could be forced into something of a makeshift attack.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Cody Gakpo of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Alexander Isak during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como Calcio at Anfield on August 16, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak are doubts for Liverpool's game against Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
Federico Chiesa is one option who can play up front, but having only just returned to training, it would be a big ask to throw him straight in against City — especially when he doesn’t really seem to be part of Iraola’s plans anyway.
If not him, then Liverpool only really has two options — pick one of his wingers to lead the line, or turn to Lewis Koumas.
It would undoubtedly be the biggest test of the 21-year-old’s career so far, but Iraola has clearly placed a lot of confidence in him already, having quickly decided against sending him out on loan after arriving at Anfield.
"For me, Koumas, I think the first week I was here, I already told the club he was staying all the season," Iraola said last month.
Andoni Iraola and Lewis Koumas after Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool.
Andoni Iraola has shown a lot of faith in Lewis Koumas(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
"I had very few doubts. He's someone who covers us in the seven, the nine, the 10, the 11 — he trains very well, good attitude, good player, scores goals.
"He needs to add more things, obviously, like every young player, but he already has a good amount of experience playing in the Championship at a high level. He is ready to help us. I like what he gives us.”
That decision looks as though it could be about to pay off. Few would have expected Koumas to be the frontrunner to start up front for Liverpool against City just a few weeks ago, but now it feels as though it could be the most sensible option.
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It is a big call, but the academy product has impressed when given the opportunity this season, whether it be coming off the bench or terrorizing Tottenham’s defense from the start.
“I did the Carabao game against Spurs when Lewis Koumas played; I gave him man of the match, and he gave the team real energy up front with his pressing and that,” Sky Sports commentator and former Arsenal striker Alan Smith recently told Liverpool.com (via BestBettingSites.co.uk).
“So he might deserve a chance. Why not? If you can play like that against Spurs, give him a chance in the Premier League.”
That chance may come sooner than most would have expected, but Iraola’s faith in Koumas could be about to face its biggest test yet.