Liverpool will host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday in their first Premier League match after the international break, but will be without several key players. Manager Andoni Iraola confirmed during his Friday press conference that Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are both ruled out of the fixture.
This will be City's first competitive game since the club was found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges brought against them for financial breaches. City maintain their innocence and submitted an appeal last week.
Isak and Gakpo ruled out
Alexander Isak suffered a thigh injury while on international duty with Sweden. Iraola said: "Isak has a thigh injury, whenever he feels ready, they don't look like long term injuries. But they are not ready for Sunday." His potential return date is set for the away match against Brentford on Saturday, October 17.
Cody Gakpo is sidelined with an ankle injury picked up while playing for the Netherlands. "Gakpo has an ankle injury, a matter of him dealing with the pain," Iraola said. His return date remains unknown.
Jacquet available, Ekitike still out
Jeremy Jacquet is expected to be available for the City clash after recovering from a knock sustained while featuring for France. "Obviously he has done well," Iraola said. "Firstly he is a good player, you've seen clips but if you don't see him every day you can't appreciate what he has. I am happy for him personally, debut with France, that is always tough. He played well, he should be happy but has a long way to go. He is fit and ready to go. He will be fine, we need to train tomorrow."
Hugo Ekitike is still recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in April and is not expected to return before the end of the year. Liverpool included him in their Champions League squad with the hope he could feature in the final two league phase fixtures in January.
Long-term absentees
Conor Bradley suffered a serious knee injury during a goalless draw with Arsenal in January, with no clear timeframe for his return. "I think he is not close to training with the team," Iraola told reporters last month. "He's training alone but he has started touching the ball. Definitely I want him as quick as possible ready but it's a long-term injury."
Giovanni Leoni has spent the last 12 months recovering from an ACL injury suffered on his debut in September last year. Iraola stated last month that he hopes to have Leoni back in training after the international break. "I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group," the Liverpool manager said.
Federico Chiesa suffered an injury before the start of the season and has yet to make a competitive appearance this term. "I think even Fede should be [back in training] around those dates [of the international break]," Iraola said last month. Both Leoni and Chiesa are targeting returns in October or November.
