Alexander Isak & Cody Gakpo injury latest after Andoni Iraola update

Alexander Isak & Cody Gakpo injury latest after Andoni Iraola update Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo fitness doubts grow ahead of Manchester City visit Liverpool have returned to work at the AXA Training Centre with one obvious question hanging over preparations for Sunday’s heavyweight Premier League meeting with Manchester City: will Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo be fit enough to play? Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool side remain unbeaten this season, seven competitive matches into the Spaniard’s tenure, but the mood around the squad has been tempered by injuries picked up during the international break. Manchester City, meanwhile, arrive at Anfield as league leaders having won all five of their league matches. Liverpool await Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo updates Isak and Gakpo were the two notable absentees from the training images released by Liverpool on Thursday. Both players left international duty early, with Isak suffering a thigh problem and Gakpo picking up an ankle injury. Sweden coach Graham Potter described Isak’s problem as a small issue with his thigh, which will offer Liverpool some encouragement. Gakpo was forced off early during the Netherlands’ victory over Serbia, with scans subsequently carried out to determine the seriousness of the injury. Iraola has already provided an update, confirming that both players are injured while stressing that the decisive question is whether they can recover in time for Sunday. Neither has been ruled out. “I think Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries,” Iraola said . “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.” That uncertainty matters because both forwards have made significant contributions to Liverpool’s unbeaten start. Photo: IMAGO Alexander Isak form gives Liverpool reason for concern Isak enters the international break in excellent form. He scored the winning goal in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory at Bournemouth, taking his league tally to four goals and one assist. Only Erling Haaland, with five league goals, has scored more in the Premier League this season. For Liverpool, Isak’s value goes beyond the numbers. His ability to stretch defensive lines, attack spaces and provide a focal point gives Iraola another dimension against elite opposition. If he is unavailable, Liverpool would lose a particularly important attacking outlet against a Manchester City side likely to dominate possession. Cody Gakpo absence would create another problem Gakpo’s numbers are equally useful to Liverpool, with two goals and four assists across all competitions this season. His versatility has become increasingly valuable, particularly in a squad now dealing with several fitness concerns. Hugo Ekitike is sidelined with an Achilles problem and is not expected back until December, while Conor Bradley is facing a lengthy absence because of a serious knee injury and is not expected to return until late November. There is better news elsewhere. Jeremy Jacquet was pictured in the gym after missing France’s 4-1 victory over Belgium with a left hamstring strain. Federico Chiesa was also involved in the gym session after being out since Liverpool’s season opener at Newcastle. Neither appearance guarantees availability for Sunday, though. For Iraola, this is now about managing uncertainty. Liverpool have made an unbeaten start, but Manchester City represent a different level of examination. Having Isak and Gakpo available could prove crucial, and Liverpool will be hoping the next few days turn concern into selection options.