Liverpool forwards Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are both doubts to face Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
Both attackers returned early from international duty after picking up knocks, with Isak suffering a thigh problem while away with Sweden and Gakpo sustaining an ankle injury during the Netherlands’ Nations League clash against Serbia.
With Hugo Ekitike already sidelined on a long-term basis due to an Achilles injury, manager Andoni Iraola faces the alarming prospect of being without his primary attacking options for the visit of City.
“Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries,” Iraola told beIN SPORTS.
“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.”
The potential attacking crisis adds to Liverpool’s broader selection headaches following the international break.
The Reds are already sweating on the fitness of central defender Jeremy Jacquet, who was left out of France’s 4-1 win over Belgium on Monday after suffering a hamstring strain, meaning Liverpool face major injury concerns at both ends of the pitch.
Sunday’s encounter represents the biggest test of Iraola’s tenure so far. Although Liverpool remain unbeaten with four wins and three draws, they come up against a relentless City outfit who have taken maximum points but are up it after the disciplinary news this week.
“We’ve been unbeaten but they’ve won all of them, so it makes a big difference in their side,” Iraola added. “I think we need to be very, very good if we want to beat City because they’ve been especially offensively 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.”
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