Liverpool have been dealt two fresh injury concerns heading into the second week of the first international window of the season. The Reds went into the extended three-week break on a high after Alexander Isak's second-half strike proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory against Bournemouth on September 20, extending their unbeaten start under Andoni Iraola.
However, there are concerns as to whether Isak will be available for the blockbuster showdown against Premier League leaders Manchester City - who have won every game this season - at Anfield a week on Sunday. The striker has withdrawn from the Sweden squad, after scoring in the Nations League win over Romania, and is now in a race against the clock to prove his fitness for the big game on October 11.
Isak's thigh injury and return date
As mentioned above, Isak will not feature for Sweden in their remaining three Nations League matches as he has returned to Liverpool for further assessment on a minor injury. Graham Potter has, at length, provided further detail on why Isak has been forced to leave the camp, confirming the striker sustained a thigh injury during the win against Romania.
The former Chelsea and West Ham head coach, however, has stressed it is not a big issue which raises hope of a swift return to action. "He's got a small problem with his thigh," Potter said during the pre-match press conference ahead of Sweden's clash with Poland. "It's not a big one but because of the amount of games we've got in a small space of time, he won't be able to make those."
"Not a big one but it's frustrating for him and obviously for us. It is what it is but we move forward with the players we have. It was during the game. Like anything, you sometimes get bumps and bruises in the game, you might think it's a bit of a dead leg or something. But actually as the 24 hours, 48 hours after the game, not quite what you think."
"Unfortunately after getting it checked out, it's a little bit more than what you think during the match. He has to miss the rest of the camp. Our medical team has been in contact with the club. Obviously it's our decision in the first place because of his status, in terms of his injury. Once that's the case, we have to inform everybody. That's just normal."
"We've got a really big squad that we believe in. Clearly there's not another Alexander Isak, that's obvious. In an ideal world, we want all our players available but the reality is we don't have Alex for this game… clearly whoever comes in, we're not going to ask them to be Alex. They just need to be themselves in the best way they can."
Potential return date: Sunday October 11, vs Man City (H)
Gakpo's ankle concern and Ekitike's recovery
Gakpo was the Netherlands' hero against Germany last Thursday as he scored a stoppage time equaliser to deny his former manager Jurgen Klopp a debut victory in international management. However, the Dutchman did not last as long in the second game as he was on the receiving end of a strong tackle from Sasa Lukic against Serbia in the first half and then requested to be taken off after attempting to carry on.
Gakpo has put forward a strong case as Liverpool's best attacking player so far this season and Iraola will be desperate the ankle injury is not too serious. Potential return date: Unknown
Hugo Ekitike has not played since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in the second leg of Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain in April. The Frenchman missed the end of last season and the World Cup, with suggestions that he would remain sidelined for a period of between nine to 12 months, which would put him on track to return between January and April next year.
The 24-year-old has been providing updates of his recovery on social media, recently posting footage of himself kicking and juggling a ball against a wall indoors. Iraola recently sprung a surprise by including Ekitike in his squad for the league phase of the Champions League, with the hope that he could potentially return for the final two games in January, against Inter Milan and Lens.
Potential return date: January 2027
Bradley, Chiesa and Leoni updates
Conor Bradley is another long-term absentee for Liverpool, having undergone surgery on bone and ligament damage to his left knee suffered during the closing stages of the goalless draw with Arsenal in the Premier League back in January. Providing a new update on the Northern Ireland international, Iraola said: "He is not close to training with the team. He is training alone but he has started touching the ball. We want him back as soon as possible."
"He has a road a little bit ahead of him and it is going to take some time. I think [Giovanni] Leoni is a little bit ahead of him and still it's going to take some time for Conor, yes." Potential return date: November or December
Federico Chiesa has also yet to play for Liverpool competitively under Iraola, having sat out the first seven games of the season due to what was described as a "small muscle injury" in his back sustained during the friendly against Como last month. Iraola confirmed that the Italian forward would not be in contention to face Bournemouth, though it is presumably hoped that he could be ready after the extended international break with two more weeks now ahead to work on his fitness.
Potential return date: Sunday October 11, vs Man City (H)
Giovanni Leoni was desperately unfortunate as he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his left knee on his first appearance for Liverpool at Anfield after joining from Parma in a £26million transfer last summer, against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. He was expected to miss a full year of action, which has proved to be the case. However, he has been working hard on his rehabilitation and Iraola recently confirmed that he was ahead of Bradley, meaning we could potentially see his return in October or November.
Potential return date: November
