Two fresh injury concerns arrive at the worst possible time for Liverpool

A promising run interrupted by the international break

Liverpool went into the international break in good shape, unbeaten and building genuine momentum under Andoni Iraola, with Alexander Isak’s goal enough to see off Bournemouth 1-0 before the squad scattered for country duty. That momentum now comes with an asterisk. Isak has been sent home from the Sweden camp with a thigh problem, while Cody Gakpo was withdrawn during the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Serbia, and both situations need resolving quickly with Manchester City due at Anfield on October 11.

Isak’s thigh issue looks manageable, for now

Isak has been Liverpool’s most reliable source of goals since his move, and he’d added another for Sweden against Romania before the injury flared up. Sweden boss Graham Potter downplayed the severity, describing it as a small issue rather than a major one, though he made clear the timing and Sweden’s congested schedule meant sending Isak home was the sensible call rather than risking it. Potter’s language suggested this is being treated cautiously rather than as anything serious, but any absence for Liverpool’s centre forward ahead of a game of City’s magnitude is unwelcome news regardless of how mild it eventually proves to be.

Gakpo withdrawal raises a different kind of concern

Gakpo’s situation is murkier simply because less is known about it. He’d been excellent for the Netherlands, scoring a stoppage time equaliser against Germany, before lasting only until half time against Serbia following a heavy challenge. Asking to be substituted rather than playing through it is usually a reliable sign that something isn’t right, and the early suggestion is an ankle problem, the kind of injury that can clear up within days or drag on for weeks depending on the extent of the damage. Gakpo has arguably been Liverpool’s sharpest attacking option so far this season, so any lengthy absence would be keenly felt.

The longer term absentees Iraola is still managing

Isak and Gakpo join a list of injury issues Iraola has had to juggle all season. Hugo Ekitike remains sidelined after rupturing his Achilles in April’s Champions League quarter final against Paris Saint Germain, with a return not expected before the turn of the year at the earliest, running into spring. Conor Bradley is progressing but still some way off first team involvement following knee surgery, with Iraola recently describing him as training alone but touching a ball again, still some distance behind Giovanni Leoni in his own recovery from a serious knee injury sustained on his Anfield debut. Federico Chiesa, who has yet to feature competitively under Iraola because of a pre-season back injury, looks the closest of that group to a return and could realistically be involved against City.

Who could fill in if needed

Iraola does at least have options if either forward isn’t risked. Liverpool’s front line has more depth than in recent seasons, and the coaching staff have shown a willingness to rotate through the early months rather than lean on the same eleven every week. That flexibility should soften the blow if Isak or Gakpo need a few extra days, even if neither is anyone’s ideal solution for a game of this magnitude. The bigger risk is either issue lingering into November rather than clearing before the City fixture itself.

Our take

None of this is catastrophic in isolation, but the timing is unhelpful with City coming to Anfield in just over a fortnight. Isak’s issue sounds minor enough that a full recovery in time looks likely, and Liverpool have shown enough depth this season to cope with a short term absence up front if needed. Gakpo is the bigger unknown simply because ankle problems can go either way, and losing his directness against a City side that will demand Liverpool’s full attacking output would be a real blow. Expect updates on both to dominate team news in the build up, with Iraola under no pressure to rush either player back before they’re genuinely ready.