Liverpool rocked by unexpected injury crisis ahead of crucial Manchester City clash – can they survive the storm?
Neither Alexander Isak nor Cody Gakpo will be available when Liverpool host Manchester City on Sunday, Reds boss Andoni Iraola has confirmed.
Although the news is not unexpected after both players pulled out of their respective squads during the international break, it had been hoped at least one would be available to face the Premier League leaders.
Instead, Iraola is likely to turn to Lewis Koumas to lead the line.
The Spaniard said: “Alex Isak and Gakpo won’t play, not ready unfortunately for us. Injuries in the break. You always hope the doctor doesn’t call you but we have been unlucky. They are not going to be involved.
“Timeframe…Gakpo has an ankle injury, a matter of him dealing with the pain. A bad tackle I think. He is working but not for Sunday. Isak has a thigh injury. They don’t look like long-term injuries but they are not ready for Sunday.
“Koumas has our trust. The player has shown he is ready to go. We also have other players who can cover the positions, so we will take a decision.”
Liverpool boss Iraola expects big atmosphere at Anfield
The wider context around the game surrounds the guilty verdict handed out to City by the Independent Commission investigating systematic financial doping.
City deny any wrongdoing and have appealed but Anfield should be a hostile place for the visitors to tread on Sunday afternoon.
Iraola added: “I think always when you play and lead these kind of games the atmosphere is going to be big, especially at Anfield. I think we want to give our supporters reasons to be [excited] – they will be with us – but when they see the team they want to see on the pitch, we can create a bigger atmosphere and we will work for this.”
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