Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak ahead of Sunday's blockbuster Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield, after both forwards suffered injury setbacks on international duty.
Andoni Iraola's unbeaten Reds face the ultimate test when league leaders City arrive at Anfield on Sunday, October 11 — but Liverpool may have to do it without two of their most dangerous attacking weapons.
Gakpo's Ankle Worry
The most concerning news came from the Netherlands camp. Cody Gakpo, arguably Liverpool's best player so far this season, lasted just 17 minutes of the Netherlands' 2-1 Nations League win over Serbia before being forced off.
The Dutch forward landed awkwardly after a challenge from Serbia midfielder Sasa Lukic and, after briefly trying to run the problem off, was withdrawn by head coach Xavi. The Netherlands FA later confirmed that Gakpo had left the squad entirely, returning to Merseyside for assessment at the AXA Training Centre.
According to reporting from the Netherlands, scans have raised fears that the winger could miss several weeks of action. If that timeline proves accurate, Gakpo will sit out not only the City showdown but potentially the Champions League trip to LASK and the visit of Brentford too.
That would be a hammer blow. Gakpo has started the 2026/27 campaign in electric form, contributing six goal involvements in his first six appearances across the Premier League and Carabao Cup — a rate of one goal contribution per game.
Isak's Thigh Problem
There was further anxiety over Alexander Isak, who cut his international break short after sustaining a thigh issue in Sweden's 2-1 win over Romania.
The striker scored in that match but was seen nursing a bloodied toe at full-time, before Sweden confirmed he would leave the camp. Speaking to the media, Sweden head coach Graham Potter played down the severity but admitted the decision was unavoidable.
"He's got a small problem with his thigh," Potter said. "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. It's frustrating for him and obviously for us."
Potter explained that the true extent of the muscular problem only became clear in the 24 to 48 hours after the match, and confirmed Sweden's medical team had been in direct contact with Liverpool.
The hope at Anfield is that the precautionary withdrawal means Isak will be in contention to face City, but with so little clarity offered publicly, Iraola cannot plan around the Swede's availability with any certainty.
Selection Headache for Iraola
The attacking cupboard was already bare. Hugo Ekitike remains sidelined with a long-term Achilles injury, while Federico Chiesa has missed the start of the campaign — although the Italian is reportedly closing in on a return and could be back in training during the break.
That leaves Liverpool desperately thin in the final third for the biggest game of the season so far. If both Gakpo and Isak are ruled out, Iraola's options narrow to a handful of names — and the spotlight may fall on some unfamiliar ones.
Bradley Barcola, the £123m summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain, could be shifted into a central role to stretch City's defence with his pace. Victor Muñoz is another versatile option capable of playing across the front line. Then there is the wildcard: teenagers Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas, who could be handed the biggest nights of their young careers on Sunday.
City, for their part, will arrive as league leaders in formidable form, and they will not wait around to be entertained. Liverpool's famed Anfield atmosphere will have to carry a rotated, reshuffled front line.
Title Race on the Line
Sunday's meeting carries enormous weight beyond the injuries. Liverpool have started the season unbeaten, while City top the table and look relentless. An Anfield defeat for the Reds would hand Guardiola's side early breathing room in the title race — while a Liverpool win with a makeshift attack would rank among Iraola's most impressive victories in charge.
How Iraola solves his forward puzzle may define not just the afternoon, but the early momentum of the entire championship battle.
Beyond the Final Whistle verdict: Losing both Gakpo and Isak would strip Liverpool of their two sharpest attacking weapons at the worst possible moment. But Anfield on a big European-night-style afternoon has a habit of making heroes out of unlikely names — Barcola, Muñoz or Ngumoha could write their own story.
Who should lead Liverpool's line against Manchester City if Isak and Gakpo are both ruled out?
