Gakpo and Isak out as Liverpool host Man City at Anfield

Liverpool will be without Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak for Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester City at Anfield, forcing head coach Andoni Iraola into at least two changes to his starting lineup.

Both forwards picked up injuries during the international break. Gakpo is dealing with an ankle problem while Isak has suffered a muscle injury to his thigh.

"Cody has an ankle injury. He has had some before in his career and it's a matter of him dealing with the pain because when you twist your ankle... it was a really bad tackle, I think," Iraola told reporters. "He is doing things individually but [he is] not ready for Sunday."

On Isak, the Liverpool head coach added: "Alex has a thigh injury. It's a small injury but it's a muscle injury. The same [as Gakpo], whenever he feels ready. They both don't look like long term – we will be analysing day to day. But they are not going to arrive on Sunday."

With their first-choice strikers unavailable, Iraola acknowledged the depth issue at centre-forward. Hugo Ekitike remains a long-term absentee alongside Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, leaving Lewis Koumas as the only natural No.9 in the squad.

"We will maybe recover Fede Chiesa but he hasn't played any minutes. He is recovering from an injury but he has been doing a good job in the international break," Iraola said. "A full No.9, it's true that we probably only have Koumas right now, but we have some other options. We have some wingers that have played up front in other teams."

Bradley Barcola, five matches into his Liverpool career, is considered one of those alternatives. "He is a top player for us. I think he can play in any position up front," said Iraola. "He probably has played more as a left winger but has played a little bit as a striker, has played even more as a right winger. I think he can cover the three positions up front."

French midfielder Jeremy Jacquet, who missed France's win over Belgium earlier in the week, is expected to return to availability for the fixture.

For Manchester City, Enzo Maresca confirmed Erling Haaland is fit after the striker was withdrawn as a precaution during Norway's final international window match last Sunday. "He's good. He went to Marbella, [had] two, three days off, played golf, recovery. Ready for Anfield," Maresca said.

Phil Foden will not feature for City, however, as he is currently serving a suspension. Nico O'Reilly also withdrew from the England squad midway through the break due to a fitness issue.