Liverpool have been hit by fresh injury concerns during the international break, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both returning to Anfield after picking up problems while on duty with Sweden and the Netherlands respectively.
Andoni Iraola's injury list also includes long-term absentees Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike, but the former Bournemouth boss will hope his players are on the comeback trail for the next stretch of domestic action.
Manchester City clash looms
Manchester City lie in wait next, and Iraola will want a strong squad to take on the Premier League leaders, who have recently been found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules. There is a chance some of Liverpool's stars could return to the starting ranks.
Here is the latest update on Liverpool's injured players.
Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool forward Ekitike suffered an Achilles injury in April and required surgery. His rehabilitation is well underway, and there is hope his return could be getting closer. L'Equipe has reported that Ekitike is targeting a return in November, with December also a possibility. The Reds named the 24-year-old in their Champions League squad for fixtures running into January. It is said that Ekitike is now able to jog as he makes his way back.
Return date: November/December
Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni
Last month, Iraola suggested that Bradley was still some way from a return to training with the team and was behind Giovanni Leoni's return to fitness. "I think he is not close to training with the team," Iraola said in September. "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."
Return date: 21/11.
It has been more than a year since Leoni was available for Liverpool, and he could soon be making his way back to action. In September, Iraola said the central defender was set to start training during the international break.
Return date: 1/11.
Federico Chiesa, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo
Federico Chiesa looks to have returned to training, with new goalkeeper Hayden Smith saying he had been at the AXA to train with Chiesa. The ex-Juventus star was ruled out with a small muscle injury during the summer and has not featured so far this term.
Return date: 11/10.
Isak was a victim of the international break after picking up an injury during Sweden's Nations League match against Romania. The striker got on the scoresheet but was forced out of the game after picking up a thigh issue. Liverpool confirmed in a statement that the Swede returned to Merseyside because of a 'minor injury' and would now receive further medical assessment back at the AXA Training Centre.
Return date: 11/10.
Gakpo has picked up an ankle injury after a tackle in the Netherlands' match against Serbia. The attacker has withdrawn from duty with the Dutch side, but after undergoing tests, reports in the Netherlands suggest he could be 'out for several weeks'.
Return date: November
