Andoni Iraola confirms double Liverpool injury blow ahead of Man City Premier League clash

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola (Picture: EPA)

Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Liverpool will be without Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak for their huge Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday.

The attacking duo have started the season impressively, notching up a combined five goals and three assists in Liverpool’s first five league matches.

But both players picked up injuries on international duty with the Netherlands and Sweden, respectively, and are now set for a spell on the sidelines.

‘Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game,’ Iraola told reporters in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

‘They are not ready. 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 with 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.

‘Cody has an ankle injury, has had some before in his career, and it’s a matter of him dealing with the pain.

Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are both out this weekend (Picture: PA)

‘It was a really bad tackle and he’s doing things individually but he will not be ready for Sunday.

‘Alex has a thigh injury, it’s a small injury but it’s a muscle injury. They don’t look long-term, and we will be analysising day to day, but not for Sunday.’

Asked if young forward Lewis Koumas could be in line to start after the injuries to Gakpo and Isak, Iraola responded: ‘I think Koumas has our trust.

Jeremy Jacquet has been passed fit (Picture: Getty)

‘I don’t think it’s a big surprise. I’ve always liked the player; he has already shown in important minutes that he’s ready to go.

‘And we have also other players who can cover the positions and now we will need to take decisions.’

There was some positive news for Liverpool, though, with Iraola confirming that Jeremy Jacquet is fit after missing France’s final game of the international break versus Belgium.

‘Yeah, he’s fit. He’s ready to,’ Iraola said.

‘I think he didn’t play with the national team last game because of protection, but he should be fine.

‘Still, we need to train tomorrow, but he’s fine, yes.’

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