Liverpool face a major challenge against Premier League leaders Manchester City on Monday as they prepare to host their rivals without two key attacking players.
Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo will both miss the match at Anfield after suffering injuries while playing for their national teams during the international break.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola confirmed their absence on Saturday, leaving his side short of attacking options for one of their biggest matches of the season.
“Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game, they are not ready, they both have injuries in the international break,” Iraola told reporters.
Gakpo suffered an ankle injury while representing the Netherlands against Serbia. Isak, meanwhile, picked up a minor thigh injury during Sweden’s match against Romania.
Neither injury is expected to keep the players out for a long period. Liverpool are monitoring their recovery, with Gakpo’s return depending on how well he manages the pain.
Isak’s absence comes at a difficult time for Liverpool. The Swedish striker had made an impressive start to the season, scoring four goals in the opening five league matches.
With both forwards unavailable, 21-year-old Welsh attacker Lewis Koumas could get an opportunity to lead Liverpool’s attack. Iraola expressed confidence in the youngster’s ability to perform on the big stage.
“Koumas has our trust,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s a big surprise, I always liked the player and he has already shown in important minutes that he is ready to go and we have also other players who can go in those positions.”
Liverpool enter the match sitting sixth in the Premier League table with two wins and three draws from their first five games.
City, meanwhile, have won all five matches and lead the standings with a six-point advantage over Liverpool.
The match also comes at a difficult time for City following a ruling against the club over alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations. An independent commission recently found City guilty of more than 100 breaches. The club have denied wrongdoing and appealed the decision.
Liverpool supporters are also preparing a major welcome outside Anfield. A social media campaign has encouraged fans to gather near the stadium before kickoff with flags, banners and flares as City’s team bus arrives.
Asked about City’s ongoing case, Iraola called for patience until the appeal process reaches its conclusion.
“I think uncertainty is not good for anyone, and anyone involved, but the process is ongoing and we have to be patient like everyone else and see what happens at the end,” he said.
Beyond Sunday’s meeting, Liverpool face a busy schedule with Premier League and Champions League matches coming before the November international break.
Iraola believes the coming weeks will provide a clearer picture of his team’s progress.
“I think this run of games we have now (with league and Champions League campaigns resuming), the demands are very high, they are also very condensed, so I think it will say a lot about us,” he said.
“I think after this run of games, we will really know where we are.”
Liverpool will hope to close the gap on City at Anfield, but their ability to compete without two important forwards could prove crucial in deciding the outcome.
