Liverpool Injury Update: Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo Out for Manchester City Clash

Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo for the Premier League meeting with Manchester City at Anfield, and that is the headline. Two attacking options, two injuries picked up on international duty, and no room for spin.

Andoni Iraola confirmed both absences before Sunday’s game. “Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game. They are not ready.

“Unfortunately for us, both got injuries during the international break. As a club manager, you are always waiting until the games end, that the doctor doesn’t call you and then gives you bad news.

“But in this case we’ve been unlucky with Alex and Cody – both of them are injured and they are not going to be involved on Sunday.”

Alexander Isak injury latest

Isak’s problem is a thigh issue. The early indication is that it is not serious, but it is still enough to keep him out of one of Liverpool’s biggest fixtures of the opening stretch. Iraola explained: “And Alex has a thigh injury. It’s a small injury but it’s a muscle injury. The same [as Gakpo], whenever he feels ready.

“They both don’t look like long term – we will be analysing day to day. But they are not going to arrive on Sunday.”

That matters. Isak’s movement, finishing and ability to stretch a back line give Liverpool a different edge. Without him, Iraola loses a major attacking reference point against the current league leaders.

Cody Gakpo setback after bad tackle

Gakpo’s issue is his ankle, and there is a clear suggestion that the damage came from poor treatment in an international fixture. Iraola said: “Cody has an ankle injury. He has had some before in his career and it’s a matter of him dealing with the pain because when you twist your ankle… it was a really bad tackle, I think.

“He is doing things individually but [he is] not ready for Sunday.”

The wording is important. Liverpool do not expect a lengthy absence, but there is no point forcing the issue this early in the season.

Federico Chiesa and Jeremy Jacquet boost

There is better news elsewhere. Jeremy Jacquet is expected to be available after missing France’s last outing as a precaution. “Yeah, he’s fit, he’s ready to go,” Iraola said. “I think he didn’t play with the national team [in the] last game because of protection.

“But he should be fine. We still need to train tomorrow but he’s fine, yes.”

Federico Chiesa is also back in training, though not yet match-ready. Iraola said: “We will maybe recover Fede Chiesa but he hasn’t played any minutes.

“He’s recovering from an injury but he has been doing a good job in the international break and has been training with the small group we had.”

So, the picture is simple. Isak out, Gakpo out, Jacquet available, Chiesa close. For Liverpool ahead of Manchester City, that is the state of play.