Liverpool rules out Isak, Gakpo for Manchester City match

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola confirmed Friday that Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo will miss Sunday's Premier League match against Manchester City at Anfield due to injuries sustained during international fixtures.

Isak suffered a thigh injury during Sweden's UEFA Nations League match against Romania, while Gakpo sustained an ankle injury from a challenge by Serbia's Sasa Lukic in their Nations League fixture. Neither player has trained since returning from international duty and neither is expected to be fit in time for the weekend clash. Iraola described both injuries as non-long-term but acknowledged uncertainty about recovery timelines. "They both don't look like long-term — we will be analysing day to day. But they are not going to arrive on Sunday," Iraola said at his pre-match press conference.

Defender Jeremy Jacquet, 21, is available after recovering from a hamstring issue and is expected to play. Iraola indicated Jacquet was rested in France's final Nations League match for protective reasons. Federico Chiesa, who has been recovering from a pre-season injury, is back in training and may be available, though he has not yet played competitive minutes this season.

With Isak and Gakpo unavailable, Iraola signalled Lewis Koumas will be trusted in attack, alongside other options including wingers who have played as forwards. Hugo Ekitike remains unavailable. The match marks Manchester City's first outing since an independent commission found the club guilty of breaches of Premier League financial rules in September 2024; City denies wrongdoing and has appealed. City currently leads the Premier League table.