Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are both doubtful for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield.
Both players picked up injuries while on duty for their respective countries during the international break.
Isak withdrew from the Sweden squad after reporting discomfort following their Nations League win over Romania.
Sweden manager Graham Potter confirmed the striker suffered a thigh issue that initially felt like a dead leg before worsening over the subsequent 48 hours.
Gakpo’s outlook appears far more precarious. The Dutch forward, who has arguably been Liverpool’s sharpest attacking player so far this season, picked up an ankle injury following a heavy challenge against Serbia.
Reports out of the Netherlands suggest potential ligament damage that could sideline him for several weeks, pending final scan results.
“I think Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave their national teams with injuries,” Iraola admitted.
“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.”
As yet we don’t know the extent of any injury to Jeremy Jacquet, who suffered a tightness in his hamstring while playing for France last week, too.
The international break is always a nervy time for clubs, which is why many players pull out of their nations’ squads for precautionary reasons.
This extra long three-week spell has been more intense than usual, with three competitive games to get through.
We will have to assess the full damage once everyone returns to the AXA training centre.
