Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo have both been ruled out of Liverpool's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed.
Isak has been sidelined since suffering a thigh problem while featuring for Sweden against Romania during the recent international break, while Gakpo was forced off during the first half of the Netherlands' 2-1 UEFA Nations League win over Serbia a fortnight ago with an ankle injury.
Key attackers missing for Liverpool
The duo have been among the Reds' best performers during the early weeks of Iraola's tenure, with Isak scoring four goals while Gakpo has contributed two goals and four assists.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, Iraola said: "Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game (against City). 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 and (hope) the doctor doesn't call you or give you bad news. In this case we have been unlucky."
Injury details and recovery outlook
Iraola detailed the nature of each player's setback. "Cody has an ankle injury. He has had some before in his career and it's a matter of him dealing with the pain. When you twist your ankle, it was a really bad tackle I think, he is doing things individually but he isn't ready for Sunday," he said.
"Alex has a thigh injury. It's not a massive injury, it's a small injury. They both don't look like long-term, we will be analysing day to day but they aren't going to be ready on Sunday."
Striker options for the City match
With Hugo Ekitike injured long term, Gakpo had previously been suggested as a backup for Isak as a centre-forward, meaning Iraola now has to determine whether to hand Lewis Koumas a first Premier League start or ask one of his other attackers to operate down the middle.
"(Lewis) Koumas has our trust," he said. "I don't think it's a big surprise. I have always liked the player. He has already shown in important minutes that he is ready to go."
"We already don't have Hugo Ekitike, he is another striker I'm looking forward to have available."
"We will maybe recover Fede Chiesa, but he hasn't played any minutes (this season). He is recovering from an injury but he has been doing a good job in the international break. He has been training with the small group we had."
"In terms of a number nine, we only have Koumas right now, but we have some other options. We have some wingers who have played up front in other teams and I think we will put an 11 who have level enough to compete in the game (on Sunday)."
Iraola could choose to move either Bradley Barcola or Victor Munoz down the middle, while there is a further option of operating Florian Wirtz as a false nine at the weekend.
Barcola has yet to have a goal contribution since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain for £123million six weeks ago and was criticised in France for his performance in his country's 4-1 UEFA Nations League win over Belgium in midweek.
But Iraola said: "I don't think he is in a bad moment. The problem with wingers and strikers is if they don't score a goal, they haven't played well. We have to watch the games."
"Against Atletico he missed two or three quite clear chances, but I don't care. Well, I care obviously, but I want him to be there. He has a couple of good occasions to score and hasn't scored, but I want him to be there."
"He is a top player for us and can play in every position up front. He has probably played more as a left winger but has played a little bit as a striker and even more as a right winger. He is a super valuable player for us."
