Liverpool dealt double injury blow ahead of Manchester City showdown

Liverpool have been dealt a double injury setback ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City at Anfield, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both ruled out.

The attacking duo returned from international duty carrying injuries and have failed to recover in time for the visit of City.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, head coach Andoni Iraola confirmed that neither player would be available.

“Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game, they are not ready,” he said. “Unfortunately for us both got injuries during the international break.”

Gakpo suffered an ankle injury following what Iraola described as “a bad tackle” while representing the Netherlands.

The winger has experienced ankle problems in the past, and although the latest setback is not thought to be serious, he continues to struggle with discomfort.

Iraola explained that Gakpo’s recovery is now largely a question of managing the pain, but Sunday’s game will come too soon.

Isak, meanwhile, is sidelined with a thigh injury, although the Liverpool boss was keen to play down concerns over the severity of the problem, describing it as “not a massive injury”.

Both players missed training on Thursday, raising doubts over their availability, but there had been some hope that at least one might recover in time to face City.

Those hopes have now been dashed, leaving Liverpool without two important attacking options for one of their biggest fixtures of the season.

The good news is that neither injury is currently expected to keep the players out for an extended period.

However, no return dates have been set, with Liverpool’s medical staff continuing to assess both players on a day-to-day basis.