Liverpool will head into Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield without their main striking options, after manager Andoni Iraola confirmed that both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are unavailable following injuries sustained during the international break.Isak, the Sweden international, has picked up a thigh problem that rules him out of the meeting with Pep Guardiola’s side. Gakpo is also missing with an ankle injury after a heavy challenge.
Iraola made the situation clear on Friday.“Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game. They are not ready,” he told Liverpool’s official website. “Unfortunately for us, both got injuries during the international break. As a club manager, you are always waiting until the games end, that the doctor doesn’t call you and then gives you bad news. But in this case we’ve been unlucky with Alex and Cody – both of them are injured and they are not going to be involved on Sunday.”
Iraola expanded on the nature of the problems. Gakpo’s ankle issue is not a new one for the Netherlands international, and the manager noted it will be a case of managing the pain after “a really bad tackle.” The winger is doing individual work but is not ready for selection. Isak’s thigh complaint is described as a “small” muscle injury, though still significant enough to keep him out.
Both players are expected to be assessed day by day and neither is viewed as a long-term absence.With Hugo Ekitike already on the sidelines, Iraola confirmed that Lewis Koumas is the leading candidate to lead the line. The young forward has the full trust of the manager and is set to operate as the central striker against City.“Even before, we don’t have Hugo Ekitike who is another very good striker but I am looking forward to have them available,” Iraola said, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“We will maybe recover Fede Chiesa but he has not played any minutes, he’s recovering from an injury but he’s been doing a good job in the international break and training with the small group we had. For number nine, we probably only have Koumas right now but we have some other options. We have wingers who have played up front in other teams and I think we will put out an 11 with a level enough to compete.”Asked specifically about relying on the 21-year-old Koumas in such a high-profile fixture, Iraola was emphatic. “Koumas has our trust. I don’t think it’s a big surprise, I always liked the player and he has already shown in important minutes that he has ready to go and we have also other players who can go in those positions.
”There is better news on the defensive side. Jeremy Jacquet is available and ready to feature. The young centre-back made two appearances for France during the international window but was rested for the final match against Belgium as a precaution. Iraola confirmed he is fit.“Yeah, he’s fit, he’s ready to go,” the manager said. “I think he didn’t play with the national team [in the] last game because of protection. But he should be fine.
We still need to train tomorrow but he’s fine, yes.”Iraola also reflected positively on Jacquet’s progress this season and his recent France call-up. “He’s done really well. Firstly because he is a very good player, obviously you know Jacquet and you see clips of him but until you have him in everyday training you can’t really appreciate what he has. I am very happy for him personally because to make a debut in the national team, in a team like France who is difficult to have a chance [in], and I think he played really well and he should be happy. But still he has a long way to go.”
