Liverpool handed double injury scare before Manchester City visit
Liverpool are facing fitness doubts over Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ahead of their crucial Premier League encounter with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, October 11. Both players picked up injuries during the international break, leaving manager Andoni Iraola with selection headaches for the visit of the champions.
- Fixture: Liverpool vs Manchester City, Premier League
- Date & Time: Sunday, October 11, 2025, kick-off TBC
- Venue: Anfield
- Key Absentees: Alexander Isak (thigh), Cody Gakpo (ankle), Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee), Federico Chiesa (back), Giovanni Leoni (ACL)
- At Stake: Liverpool's unbeaten start against a Manchester City side that has won every league game so far
Injury and availability
Liverpool's medical staff are assessing both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo after they returned from international duty with issues. The club's momentum from a 1-0 win over Bournemouth has been interrupted by these fresh fitness concerns.
Alexander Isak
Isak, who scored the winner against Bournemouth and then netted for Sweden, has returned to Liverpool for assessment after Sweden confirmed a thigh issue. Sweden manager Graham Potter described it as a "small problem," but acknowledged it was more than initially thought. "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."
Potential return date: Sunday, October 11 vs Manchester City (H)
Cody Gakpo
Gakpo was forced off during the Netherlands' 2-1 win over Serbia after a strong challenge from Sasa Lukic. He attempted to continue but signalled to come off, indicating a genuine problem. The severity of the ankle injury is not yet confirmed, and Liverpool are waiting on further assessment.
Potential return date: Not yet confirmed
Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike remains out after rupturing his right Achilles tendon in April during the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. He has started sharing clips of ball work again, and Iraola included him in the Champions League league phase squad, suggesting a possible return in January.
Potential return date: January 2027
Conor Bradley
Bradley is still working back after surgery on bone and ligament damage in his left knee. Iraola said: "He is not close to training with the team. He is training alone but he has started touching the ball."
Potential return date: November or December
Federico Chiesa
Chiesa has yet to make his competitive debut under Iraola due to a back muscle issue suffered in pre-season. The international break may aid his recovery, with two extra weeks on the training ground potentially making a difference.
Potential return date: Sunday, October 11 vs Manchester City (H)
Giovanni Leoni
Leoni, signed from Parma for £26 million, is recovering from an ACL tear suffered on his first Anfield appearance against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. Iraola has suggested he is ahead of Bradley in his recovery, leaving the door open for a return before the end of autumn.
Potential return date: November
What was said
"He’s got a small problem with his thigh. 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."
"Not a big one but it's frustrating for him and obviously for us. It is what it is but we move forward with the players we have."
"It was during the game. Like anything, you sometimes get bumps and bruises in the game, you might think it’s a bit of a dead leg or something. But actually as the 24 hours, 48 hours after the game, not quite what you think."
"Unfortunately after getting it checked out, it’s a little bit more than what you think during the match. He has to miss the rest of the camp."
"Our medical team has been in contact with the club. Obviously it’s our decision in the first place because of his status, in terms of his injury. Once that’s the case, we have to inform everybody. That’s just normal."
"We’ve got a really big squad that we believe in. Clearly there’s not another Alexander Isak, that’s obvious."
"In an ideal world, we want all our players available but the reality is we don’t have Alex for this game… clearly whoever comes in, we’re not going to ask them to be Alex. They just need to be themselves in the best way they can."
"He is not close to training with the team. He is training alone but he has started touching the ball. We want him back as soon as possible."
"He has a road a little bit ahead of him and it is going to take some time."
"I think [Giovanni] Leoni is a little bit ahead of him and still it’s going to take some time for Conor, yes."
These quotes reveal a mix of relief and caution. Potter's description of Isak's thigh issue as "small" suggests Liverpool may have avoided a worst-case scenario, but the forward's withdrawal from international duty confirms he is not fully fit. The fact that the injury was initially downplayed as a dead leg before scans revealed more damage is a warning sign. For Gakpo, the lack of a confirmed return date is a concern; ankle injuries can fluctuate in severity, and the medical team's cautious approach means Iraola must prepare for the possibility of being without one of his most in-form attackers.
Iraola's updates on Bradley and Leoni were more definitive, with the latter ahead in his recovery from an ACL tear. Chiesa's potential return for the Manchester City game would be a timely boost, given his absence from the first seven games of the season.
Analysis: Liverpool's attacking depth faces ultimate test
Liverpool's preparations for Manchester City have been disrupted by the international break, with the fitness of Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo now dominating the agenda. Both players have been central to Iraola's early-season success: Isak's goal against Bournemouth secured three points, while Gakpo has been one of the sharpest attackers in the Premier League. The potential absence of either, let alone both, would force Iraola to rework his attacking setup against a City side that has won every league game so far.
If Isak is unavailable, Liverpool lose their primary centre-forward option. While Sweden's Potter noted there is no direct replacement for Isak, Iraola must find a way to replicate his movement and finishing. The likely solution is to shift to a more fluid front three, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz providing width and a midfielder like Dominik Szoboszlai pushing higher, but that risks leaving the midfield exposed to City's control. Alternatively, Diogo Jota could step in as a central striker, offering a different profile but less physical presence. Jota's ability to press and link play is valuable, but he lacks Isak's aerial threat and hold-up ability.
Gakpo's potential absence is equally problematic. His direct running and productivity from the left have been a key outlet. Without him, Liverpool may turn to Luis Díaz on the left, with Darwin Núñez or Jota through the middle. However, Díaz's pace could exploit City's high line, but his end product is less consistent than Gakpo's. Iraola could also consider Harvey Elliott or Federico Chiesa if fit, but Chiesa's lack of match sharpness makes him a risky starter. The timing of the international break has been beneficial for Chiesa, who has had extra time to recover from his back issue, but whether he is ready for such a high-intensity fixture remains doubtful.
Defensively, Liverpool are still without Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, but the returns of Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté from their own issues would be welcome. Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are expected to continue as full-backs, but Bradley's absence limits rotation options. The midfield trio of Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister will need to be at their best to disrupt City's rhythm.
Ultimately, Liverpool's ability to take points off Manchester City may hinge on the fitness of Isak and Gakpo. If both are passed fit, Iraola can deploy his preferred attacking lineup and test City's defence with pace and movement. If not, the manager must rely on his squad depth and tactical flexibility to avoid a damaging defeat.
Talking points
- Should Liverpool risk starting Isak if he is not fully fit, or save him for the easier fixtures that follow?
- Is Cody Gakpo's absence a bigger blow than Isak's, given his form and Liverpool's lack of natural left-wing cover?
- Can Federico Chiesa make an impact if thrown in against Manchester City, or is he too rusty after no competitive football?
- Does Giovanni Leoni's faster recovery from ACL surgery suggest he could be a surprise starter before the end of November?
What happens next
Liverpool will continue to assess Isak and Gakpo over the coming days, with the club hoping to have both available for the Manchester City game on October 11. The medical team will monitor their progress, and Iraola will make a final decision after the final training session. A positive result against City could set the tone for the rest of the season, while a defeat could see Liverpool lose ground in the title race. The return of Chiesa and potentially Isak and Gakpo would also ease the burden on the squad ahead of a busy October schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexander Isak fit to play against Manchester City?
Isak is a doubt after suffering a thigh injury on international duty. He has returned to Liverpool for assessment, but no decision has been made on his availability for October 11.
What is Cody Gakpo's injury and when will he return?
Gakpo suffered an ankle injury during the Netherlands' win over Serbia. The severity is not yet confirmed, and no return date has been set.
Who else is injured for Liverpool?
Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee), Federico Chiesa (back), and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) are all currently sidelined, though Chiesa and Leoni are making progress in their recoveries.
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