Liverpool Without Isak and Gakpo for Manchester City as Haaland Gets the All-Clear

Liverpool will face Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday without Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, their two first-choice forwards, after both were ruled out with injuries picked up on international duty. The pair returned to Merseyside from Nations League commitments carrying problems that have not healed in time for the matchweek 6 showdown, which kicks off at 4.30pm BST.

The double absence is the headline of Andoni Iraola's team news. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni all remain out longer term, while Federico Chiesa is still working his way back from injury without a single minute played this season. The attacking burden therefore falls on the forwards who are fit, with Iraola forced to reshuffle his front line against the league leaders.

Haaland fit for the champions

City's own injury scare has resolved itself. Erling Haaland asked to be substituted while playing for Norway last weekend, but Enzo Maresca confirmed the striker is fit to face Liverpool, with the substitution put down to fatigue management rather than a physical problem. The champions arrived at Anfield on the back of a winning run, and their focal point starts.

What it means

Isak had been Liverpool's statement forward since his summer arrival, and Gakpo had carried the left flank through the opening weeks, so losing both at once leaves Iraola with a selection puzzle he has not yet had to solve this season. With Ekitike also unavailable, the options up front are thin, and Liverpool's bench will have an unfamiliar look for the biggest fixture of the weekend.

The reverse of the fixture last season finished 2-1 to City at Anfield, and the corresponding home game the year before ended 3-0 to the visitors — form that makes Liverpool's attacking absences all the more costly. Iraola is expected to confirm his replacement plan at the pre-match briefing, with kick-off at 4.30pm BST on Sunday, 11 October.