Liverpool face an anxious wait over the fitness of forwards Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak after both picked up injuries while away on international duty, casting doubt on their availability for the key Premier League clash with Manchester City on October 11. The Reds, who sit sixth in the table with nine points from five games, could be without two of their most potent attackers for the visit of the league leaders.
Cody Gakpo was forced off in the 17th minute of the Netherlands' Nations League match against Serbia on Sunday. The 27-year-old went down unchallenged, grimacing and holding his lower left leg near the ankle, and immediately signalled to the bench to be substituted. The issue appeared to stem from an earlier challenge by Serbia's Sasa Lukic. Dutch boss Xavi Hernandez is expected to provide a further update on the forward's condition.
Isak returns to Merseyside
Alexander Isak, the club's top scorer this season with four goals in five Premier League appearances, has already left the Sweden camp. He sustained a thigh problem during their 2-1 win over Romania last Friday, a match in which he scored. Sweden manager Graham Potter confirmed the striker has a "small problem with his thigh" and will miss the nation's three remaining Nations League fixtures.
"Not a big one but it's frustrating for him and obviously for us," Potter said. "It is what it is but we move forward with the players we have." The striker has now returned to Merseyside and will be assessed by Liverpool's medical staff at the AXA Training Centre.
Impact on City preparations
The timing is far from ideal for manager Andoni Iraola, whose side are preparing for a defining early-season test. Manchester City, who thrashed Liverpool 4-0 in their last meeting in April, arrive at Anfield in first place. Gakpo and Isak have been instrumental in Liverpool's strong recent form, which includes four wins and a draw from their last five matches across all competitions. Isak netted the winner in the 1-0 victory at Bournemouth before the break, while Gakpo scored and provided an assist in the 3-1 win over Tottenham.
Losing either player would be a significant blow to a team already six points behind City in the title race. The club's medical team now faces a critical period of assessment. Supporters can monitor the latest squad news on the official injuries page, while the full schedule, including the build-up to the City game, is available on the fixtures list. Liverpool's next match is that high-stakes encounter at Anfield on October 11.
First reported at Daily Mirror Football
