Premier League 2026-27: Liverpool Suffer Double Injury Blow Ahead Of Heavyweight Clash Against Manchester City

Premier League 2026-27: With a heavyweight Premier League 2026-27 looming between Liverpool and Manchester City in Anfield on Sunday, the hosts have some grave injury concerns. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola confirmed on October 9, Friday that the duo of Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo will miss the clash.

You Might Be Interested In Premier League 2026-27: Are injuries to Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo long-term? Both players returned from international duty with injuries, after Gakpo picked up an ankle injury playing for the Netherlands against Serbia ‌while Isak suffered what Iraola described as a "small" thigh injury with Sweden against Romania.

Isak's absence is a significant blow after the striker had finally found his form, scoring four goals in the opening five league games. "Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game, they are not ready, they both have injuries in the international break," Iraola said.

Neither injury is believed to be long-term, with Gakpo's availability ⁠depending on how he copes with the pain while the club monitors both players day by day. Their absence could open the door for 21-year-old Wales forward Lewis Koumas to lead the attack against City.

I don't think it's a big surprise, I always liked the player and he has already shown in important minutes that he is ready to go and we have also other players who can go in those positions, Iraola said. Iraola said a demanding stretch of games before the next international break in November would provide a significant test of Liverpool's credentials.

"I think this run of games we have now (with league and Champions League campaigns resuming), ‌the demands ⁠are very high, they are also very condensed, so I think it will say a lot about us. I think after this run of games, we will really know where we are.

City top the table as the only team with a 100% record after five games, while Liverpool are six points behind them in sixth, with two wins and three ⁠draws. The rivalry alone would make Sunday's clash a blockbuster, but the spotlight on Anfield will be considerably more intense with City playing for the first time since an independent commission found them guilty of more than 100 breaches of the Premier ⁠League's financial rules.

A social media post promoting a Bus greeting" has urged Liverpool supporters to gather near the stadium several hours before kickoff with flags, banners, pyrotechnics and flares ahead of the arrival of the City players' ⁠bus.