Well, that is not the news Liverpool fans wanted to hear before Manchester City come to Anfield.
Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo will both miss Sunday’s game, leaving Liverpool without two important attacking options for one of the biggest fixtures of the season.
Both players picked up injuries while away on international duty, and Iraola was clearly frustrated by the timing.
He explained that he always hopes the doctors won’t call during an international break, but Liverpool have been unlucky this time.
Unfortunately, there is no last-minute recovery for either player.
Neither Isak nor Gakpo will be involved against City.
And with Hugo Ekitike already sidelined by his long-term Achilles injury, Liverpool suddenly have a serious problem to solve up front.
Gakpo and Isak are out – but the injuries don’t look long term
There is at least some encouraging news in Iraola’s update.
Gakpo has an ankle injury following what the Liverpool boss described as a bad tackle during the Netherlands’ game against Serbia.
Iraola explained that the issue is partly about managing the pain, with Gakpo working on his recovery but not ready to return for Sunday.
Isak, meanwhile, has a thigh injury after leaving Sweden’s camp.
Neither problem currently looks like a long-term injury, according to Iraola, although both players need more time before they can return.
That is obviously positive.
Liverpool need these players back as quickly as possible, particularly with a busy schedule ahead. But I would much rather see them given the time they need than risk making either injury worse for the sake of one game.
Missing Manchester City is bad enough. Losing them for several more weeks would be far worse.
Liverpool have been incredibly unlucky with injuries
I have to admit, the timing is frustrating.
Liverpool had spent the international break hoping to get players rested and prepared for the return of Premier League football.
Instead, Iraola has been left dealing with more injury problems.
Gakpo had been looking increasingly confident, while Isak had started to show why Liverpool were so keen to bring him to Anfield.
Their understanding was beginning to develop, and losing both at the same time is a significant setback.
It also leaves Iraola with a difficult selection decision.
Who leads the line against City?
Does he use a natural striker, move another attacker centrally or change the system to make better use of the players available?
There isn’t an obvious answer, and that is what makes this such a difficult situation.
Iraola has already backed Lewis Koumas
There is, however, one player who could benefit from the situation.
Lewis Koumas.
Iraola was asked about the young Welsh forward and made it clear that Liverpool trust him.
“Koumas has our trust,” was the manager’s message, adding that the player had already shown he was ready to take his opportunity.
I actually like that response.
Koumas has just had a busy international break with Wales, playing 241 minutes in 11 days. That experience could be valuable if he is asked to step into a bigger role for Liverpool.
He has been used in attacking positions and has experience playing through the middle, although starting against Manchester City would be a considerable test.
Let’s not pretend that replacing Isak is a simple task. The Swede offers physicality, movement and a goalscoring threat that Liverpool will miss.
But Koumas deserves to be considered.
If Iraola believes he is ready, then this is precisely the sort of situation in which a young player can make a name for himself.
This is where Liverpool’s squad depth will be tested
The injuries also raise questions about Liverpool’s attacking depth.
When everybody is fit, Iraola has several ways of setting up his forward line. But with Isak and Gakpo unavailable and Ekitike still recovering, the options become much more limited.
Florian Wirtz could be used in a more advanced role. Bradley Barcola and Victor Muñoz may also have important parts to play, depending on how Iraola wants to approach the game.
There is no need to panic before a ball has been kicked, but Liverpool will have to find a different solution.
And against Manchester City, that is not easy.
Liverpool cannot afford to spend the whole afternoon defending and hoping for a moment of magic. They will need to carry a threat, keep possession when possible and make the most of whatever opportunities come their way.
That means the players who do feature in attack will have to take responsibility.
Sunday has just become a bigger challenge
I was already looking forward to this game, but the injury news has certainly made me more nervous.
City are coming to Anfield, and Liverpool will be without two players who could have made a real difference.
Still, I don’t want this to become an excuse before the match even begins.
Liverpool have talented players available, and Iraola has shown that he is willing to trust younger members of the squad.
Perhaps Koumas will get his chance. Perhaps Wirtz will be asked to play closer to goal. Perhaps another player will produce an unexpected performance.
Football rarely follows the script.
What matters now is that Liverpool find a way to compete without two of their senior attackers.
And if Koumas does get the nod, I hope he plays without fear. He has earned the opportunity to show what he can do.
Isak and Gakpo will be missed, but Liverpool still have a game to win.
Hopefully, both players recover quickly and return without any complications.
For now, though, Iraola must find a solution for Sunday.
And Lewis Koumas could be one of the players who helps him do it.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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