Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both returned early from international duty after suffering injuries and Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola says they are doubtful to face Manchester City
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Andoni Iraola manager of Liverpool speaks to the media during the press conference after their side's victory during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has given an injury update(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media, Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola has admitted that Liverpool duo Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are "both injured" and are major doubts to face Manchester City this weekend.
Liverpool have their players back from international duty and are preparing to face City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon at Anfield. City come into the game top of the league, having won all five of their games, and Liverpool's task has been made harder by injury concerns.
Isak picked up a thigh injury while playing for Sweden, while Gakpo had to withdraw from Netherlands duty after being on the receiving end of a strong tackle. The duo are key attackers for Liverpool and Iraola did little to reassure fans ahead of the return to club football.
"I think Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries," he said. "Now it's a matter of if they are going to recover in time to help us in the next game or not. But right now they are both injured."
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Isak was injured while playing for Sweden against Romania on September 25. His manager Graham Potter didn't sound too concerned when he explained the issue.
“He’s got a small problem with his thigh,” Potter said. “It’s not a big one but because of the amount of games we’ve got in a small space of time, he won’t be able to make those.
“It was during the game. Like anything, you sometimes get bumps and bruises in the game, you might think it’s a bit of a dead leg or something. But actually as the 24 hours, 48 hours after the game, not quite what you think.
“Unfortunately after getting it checked out, it’s a little bit more than what you think during the match. He has to miss the rest of the camp."
Cody Gakpo of Holland leaving the pitch with a injury
Cody Gakpo picked up an injury on international duty(Image: Roy Lazet/Getty Images)
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Gakpo had to be substituted after a nasty challenge by Serbia midfielder Sasa Lukic. He has two goals and four assists in six games for Liverpool this season and would be a big miss for Iraola, who has also benefited from four goals in five Premier League games from Isak.
Liverpool host Manchester City on Sunday looking to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding their opponents following their guilty verdict. Iraola knows the size of the task facing them against Enzo Maresca's side.
"We've been unbeaten but they've won all of them, so it makes a big difference in their side," he added. "I think we need to be very, very good if we want to beat City because they've been especially offensively scoring a lot of goals lately.
"We know the names that are very dangerous. But I think also we've shown good defensive improvements lately and I hope we can defend the threats that they have and also hurt them on the other side."
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