Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola could be forced into a selection rethink in attack if both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo fail to recover from injuries picked up during the international break. The pair had their national team duty cut short, and there is a chance neither forward will be available for the Premier League visit of Manchester City on Sunday.
Gakpo the greater concern
While Gakpo is the greater concern, both players are doubts for the match at Anfield. Iraola has discovered to his cost that international breaks rarely pass without incident, and this one has left him with a potential shortage of options up front.
With Federico Chiesa yet to play this season, Jayden Danns not match sharp, and Will Wright not ready for first-team exposure, Iraola has only two realistic choices should Isak and Gakpo be ruled out.
Wirtz as a false nine
The first option is to start Lewis Koumas up front. The Welshman has been gaining minutes for club and country this season and showed against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup he can cause problems for Premier League defences with his relentless running and pressing. However, that contribution should perhaps come from the bench later on.
The better option may be to push Florian Wirtz forward as a false nine, with Dominik Szoboszlai moving in behind. That would allow either Trey Nyoni or, more likely, Ryan Gravenberch to slot in alongside Alexis Mac Allister at the base of midfield.
During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz was known for his pressing ability and his habit of winning the ball back high up the pitch. Few players cover as much ground as he does game to game, and he could be the ideal disruptor if Iraola is looking for someone to stop City building from the back. His presence in the forward line would also allow Liverpool to play a more solid midfield three in Szoboszlai, Gravenberch and Mac Allister.
Wirtz may find that spaces open up more than they have so far this term, given Liverpool will go toe-to-toe with the unbeaten league leaders, who will be more focused on what they can do in possession than most sides arriving at Anfield. The idea of the Germany international being a nuisance with his pressing skills could make the difference on the day.
Gakpo's improved form
Iraola raised a few eyebrows earlier in the season when he declared Gakpo would be a viable alternative to Isak down the centre of the attack, with memories fresh of how below average the Dutchman performed there towards the end of last season. Gakpo this campaign, though, is a very different beast and will be a more dangerous proposition when eventually asked to step in.
That is unlikely to happen against City, however. While not having the biggest squad at his disposal, Iraola has to make the most of areas where he has real strength in depth.
