Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are injury doubts for Sunday's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield.
The fixture is one of City's most important in recent history, being the first since the verdict on the 115 charges. In the context of the title race, it is also a crucial test, with City boasting a 100 per cent record. Liverpool sit six points behind Enzo Maresca's side, and a win for City could push the Merseyside club further out of sight.
Injury concerns in attack
Isak scored for Sweden in a 2-1 win over Romania on September 25, but picked up a thigh injury during that match and did not play for his country for the remainder of the international break. Gakpo, who was of interest to City in the summer transfer window, sustained an ankle injury in the Netherlands' 2-1 win over Serbia two days later.
Speaking to Liverpool's in-house media, Iraola said: "I think Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries. Now it's a matter of if they are going to recover in time to help us in the next game or not. But right now they are both injured."
City's attacking threat
City are the second-highest scorers in the Premier League, behind Brighton and Hove Albion, and scored five against Sunderland in their last match. Iraola is aware of City's attacking strengths but is confident his defence can stop them.
"We've been unbeaten but they've won all of them, so it makes a big difference in their side," the Liverpool boss concluded. "I think we need to be very, very good if we want to beat City because they've been especially offensive, scoring a lot of goals lately. We know the names that are very dangerous. But I think also we've shown good defensive improvements lately and I hope we can defend the threats that they have and also hurt them on the other side."
