Liverpool will face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday but will have some injury concerns for the fixture
Alexander Isak of Liverpool
Alexander Isak of Liverpool(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Liverpool return to Premier League action this weekend as they face Manchester City, but will have to do so with some key players on the sidelines. The Reds will host City at Anfield in the first match after the international break, with a heated atmosphere expected on Merseyside.
This will be the first time that City have played a competitive game since news emerged that the club had been found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges brought against them for financial breaches. City still maintain their innocence and submitted an appeal last week.
Andoni Iraola and Co. will be determined to secure all three points for Liverpool against City, having entered the international break on the back of an important victory over Bournemouth.
However, Iraola will be forced to be without some key players, with the Liverpool boss providing an injury update on his squad during his Friday press conference.
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Here, the ECHO takes a look at the latest Liverpool injury news and potential return dates…
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has been ruled out for Liverpool for the clash against Manchester City this weekend.
The striker suffered a thigh injury while on international duty with Sweden, and Iraola has confirmed he will not have him at his disposal to face City.
Iraola said: "Isak has a thigh injury, whenever he feels ready, they don't look like long term injuries. But they are not ready for Sunday."
Potential return date: Brentford (A) - Saturday, October 17
Cody Gakpo
Iraola has also confirmed that Liverpool will be without Cody Gakpo, who is sidelined with an ankle injury that he suffered while on international duty with the Netherlands.
"Gakpo has an ankle injury, a matter of him dealing with the pain," Iraola said.
Potential return date: Unknown
Jeremy Jacquet
Liverpool were handed an injury scare during the international break when Jeremy Jacquet appeared to pick up a knock while featuring for France.
Jacquet has since featured in training for Liverpool and is expected to be available to face City this weekend.
"Obviously he has done well," Iraola said. "Firstly he is a good player, you've seen clips but if you don't see him every day you can't appreciate what he has.
"I am happy for him personally, debut with France, that is always tough. He played well, he should be happy but has a long way to go. He is fit and ready to go. He will be fine, we need to train tomorrow."
Potential return date: Manchester City (H) - Sunday, October 11.
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Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike is still recovering from an Achilles injury that he suffered back in April, and is not expected to return before the end of the year.
Liverpool included Ekitike in their Champions League squad with the hope that the France international could feature in the final two league phase fixtures in January.
Potential return date: January
Conor Bradley
Conor Bradley suffered a serious knee injury during a goalless draw with Arsenal back in January and there is no clear timeframe when Liverpool expect the right-back to be available once again.
"I think he is not close to training with the team,” Iraola told reporters last month. “He's training alone but he has started touching the ball. Definitely I want him as quick as possible ready but it's a long-term injury."
Potential return date: Unknown
Giovanni Leoni
Giovanni suffered an ACL injury on debut for Liverpool in September last year and has spent the last 12 months in recovery.
Iraola stated last month that he hopes to have Leoni back in training after the international break.
"I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group," the Liverpool manager said.
Potential return date: October/November
Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa suffered an injury before the start of the season and has yet to make a competitive appearance for Liverpool this term.
Iraola said last month that he hopes the Italy international can be available after the international break.
"I think even Fede should be [back in training] around those dates [of the international break],” Iraola said.
Potential return date: October/November