Iraola Worries Over Isak And Gakpo As Liverpool Head Into City Test

• Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo returned early from internationals with thigh and ankle issues.
• Andoni Iraola admits both forwards are injured and their availability for Manchester City is uncertain.
• Jeremy Jacquet was left out of France’s win over Belgium with a hamstring problem.

Andoni Iraola has been handed a headache at the worst possible time. Two of his senior forwards, Alexander Isak (thigh) and Cody Gakpo (ankle), cut short their international duty and head back to Merseyside questionable for Sunday’s showdown with Manchester City. If you’re checking the markets on football betting sites UK, you’ll see City still firm favourites — and injuries like this only make Liverpool’s task tougher.

Iraola’s Selection Dilemma

Iraola was candid on beIN Sports: both players left their national camps injured and it’s uncertain whether they’ll recover in time. That admission is blunt but honest — Liverpool can’t afford to rush either man. The manager has already lost Hugo Ekitike for the long term with an Achilles problem, so the forward options are stretched.

On top of that, centre-back Jeremy Jacquet was omitted from France’s 4-1 victory over Belgium with a hamstring strain, though Iraola didn’t expand on his status. This is more than squad rotation — it’s a selection crisis ahead of the biggest match of Iraola’s Liverpool career so far.

Tactics, Temperament And A Tough Test

There’s no sugarcoating it: City are scoring freely and any absence of Isak or Gakpo removes Liverpool’s cutting edge. Iraola insists the team are improving defensively and trying to strike a balance between intensity, vertical play and game control — he referenced the Newcastle draw where transitions cost them. From where I’m sitting, Liverpool must be compact, brave in transitions and pragmatic. If they can’t field Isak or Gakpo, Iraola will need a Plan B that stings City on the break.

Sunday is a measuring stick. Stay disciplined, pick your moments and hope the medical room delivers a couple of positives — if not, it could be a long afternoon at Anfield.

Latest Football News