Liverpool faces Man City at Anfield on Sunday, but Andoni Iraola will be without several key players as the Reds return to Premier League action after the international break
Liverpool Manager Andoni Iraola during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match against Atletico Madrid
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has provided team news ahead of Man City clash(Image: Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool is finally back in Premier League action on Sunday following the extended international break, and it's no small matter with Manchester City visiting Anfield.
Of course, the fixture will be overshadowed by all of the off-field discourse surrounding the Manchester club's 115 charges. But the focus for Andoni Iraola and the team will be on recording a statement win over one of their biggest rivals.
Liverpool lost both of its meetings with City in the Premier League last season, as well as an FA Cup quarterfinal clash in April. Of course, that was under a different head coach in Arne Slot, but given City's seven straight wins across all competitions to start the season, the visitors are evidently in very good form.
Unfortunately for Iraola, however, he will be without some of his biggest stars for this important fixture, so here's a full breakdown of every Liverpool player available for Sunday's showdown.
Goalkeepers
Alisson Becker of Liverpool warms up ahead of the Premier League 2026/27 match against Bournemouth
Alisson did not go away on international duty with Brazil(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alisson Becker
Giorgi Mamardashvili
Freddie Woodman
The goalkeeping department is seemingly at full strength. In a major boost for Iraola, first-choice goalkeeper Alisson did not travel to represent Brazil during the international break, so he got a complete rest over the last three weeks.
Giorgi Mamardashvili did feature for Georgia in its Nations League matches, but seemingly returned to Merseyside in good health.
Defenders
Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool in action during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham
Jeremy Jacquet has been an injury doubt for Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images))
Virgil van Dijk
Jeremy Jacquet
Ronald Araujo
Milos Kerkez
Jeremie Frimpong
Kostas Tsimikas
Despite playing every minute for the Netherlands during the international break, club captain Virgil van Dijk came through unscathed. His center-back partner Jeremy Jacquet was a fitness concern after he missed France's final game, but Iraola has confirmed the 21-year-old is ready to play, much to the relief of absolutely everyone.
Ronald Araujo has also returned from the break fit and was an unused substitute in Uruguay's last friendly against India earlier this week. Kostas Tsimikas has been lacking minutes at club level, so he will hope to have gained some rhythm while away with Greece.
Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are also fit, with the latter struggling for minutes while away with the Netherlands. Kerkez, meanwhile, missed Hungary's last outing against Ukraine due to suspension. Joe Gomez did not go on international duty.
Giovanni Leoni is set to resume training now that the international break is over, but it will likely be some time before he's fit enough for a matchday squad. Conor Bradley is still some distance from making his long-awaited return.
Midfielders
Argentina's midfielder #20 Alexis Mac Allister kicks the ball past Burkina Faso's midfielder #06 Chec Bebel Doumbia during the international friendly football match between Argentina and Burkina Faso at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on October 3, 2026. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP via Getty Images)
Alexis Mac Allister in action for Argentina against Burkina Faso(Image: Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai
Ryan Gravenberch
Alexis Mac Allister
Florian Wirtz
Trey Nyoni
Wataru Endo
James McConnell
Liverpool's midfield also did not take a battering during the break, despite a number of players racking up significant minutes. One question mark, however, is whether Alexis Mac Allister will be ready to start against City, given he played 80 minutes of Argentina's win over Benin in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are both fit, while Wataru Endo missed out on a place in the Japan squad. Trey Nyoni represented England at youth level, and James McConnell was among the few players training and working with Iraola during the break.
Florian Wirtz featured regularly for Jurgen Klopp 's Germany, and it will be hoped he built some confidence with a handful of strong performances.
Forwards
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak of Liverpool line up ahead of the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak have been ruled out of Liverpool's game against Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
Victor Munoz
Bradley Barcola
Rio Ngumoha
Lewis Koumas
Federico Chiesa (doubt)
Unfortunately, it's in attack where Liverpool suffered the most losses due to injury. Both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo withdrew from their respective international squads in the last couple of weeks and appear not to have recovered in time for Sunday.
It doesn't appear either player's issue is long-term, but it's the perfect time for new signing Bradley Barcola to make a statement. Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz could also be in line for minutes as a result.
Lewis Koumas, meanwhile, will also be eyeing some minutes after a strong showing for Wales in recent weeks. Isak's absence could also provide the perfect opening for him.
Hugo Ekitike is still a long-term absentee, while Federico Chiesa is seemingly closing in on a return after a back injury sustained in preseason. However, the length of his absence means he may not be ready for the matchday squad.