Liverpool's game against Manchester City will be like no other given recent events, and Andoni Iraola is going to need two of his players to finally rise to the occasion
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Andoni Iraola, Manager of Liverpool, reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham at Anfield on September 12, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has issued a challenge to his Liverpool players ahead of facing Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool vs Manchester City is the sort of game which normally needs very little build-up. Today, however, is no normal fixture.
The Etihad outfit’s guilty verdict from the Premier League promises to make this a game unlike any other. Not only is there the usual rivalry fueling the fans at Anfield today, but the feeling of nine-plus years of injustice.
We do of course have to factor in that City has launched an appeal and maintains its innocence, but there will be no sympathy shown by the home support today. The visitors are about to face the full force of Anfield.
How the players react to it will be fascinating to see - and we don’t just mean City’s players.
Not even Andoni Iraola can know how his team will deal with the cauldron of noise they’re about to face. All he can do is try to control things in his own way.
That of course isn’t helped by the absence of his two main sources of goals this season. Without Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, Liverpool’s attack is going to look a lot more bare.
Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo of Liverpool
Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are a huge miss for Liverpool today(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
"It's definitely not something I wanted from this international break but we can't control it," Iraola said. "It is what it is. We can't change it so we have to adapt.
"It's a bad thing for us, definitely, because both of them have been prolific forwards at the start of the season but the good thing when you coach Liverpool is you still have very good players available.
"I trust the players we have ready to go. It's also a good moment for those players to step up, to add good numbers and good performances while we recover Cody and Alex."
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Who will start up front is the big question, but regardless of whether it’s Lewis Koumas or anyone else, it’s time for two players to rise to the occasion.
Fans are still waiting for Florian Wirtz to find his feet in a Liverpool shirt. The heat has been taken off him somewhat during the international break, and now the City scandal has well and truly pushed the debate over his position in the Reds’ team to one side.
David Affengruber of Fulham passes the ball under pressure from Bradley Barcola of Liverpool and Florian Wirtz during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on September 12, 2026
Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola need to prove their worth against Manchester City(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
If ever there is going to be a time for him to make his mark, it has to be now. Likewise, Bradley Barcola needs to find his mojo.
A quiet start was, to some extent, to be expected for the Frenchman, given his first competitive game this season didn’t come until he completed his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. Given how much time and money Liverpool put in to secure his signing though, results will be expected sooner rather than later.
Iraola has been keen to turn the heat down on both Wirtz and Barcola, but with Isak and Gakpo out, they simply have to step up now. They will be two of the most expensive players on show today, and in this most unique of occasions, it’s time for them to show their worth.