Jacquet, Isak, Gakpo, Chiesa - Liverpool injury news ahead of Man City

But extra significance has been piled on the Sky Sports-live clash after City were found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-season period.

Given their long-time rivalry with Liverpool, the Etihad Stadium outfit are sure to encounter a hostile atmosphere. And given the injury concerns Andoni Iraola currently has, the Reds could well need their supporters more than ever.

Iraola went into the international break without four first-team players. But he was then handed concerns over three more after Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Jeremy Jacquet all picked up problems while away with their countries.

So ahead of the massive match against Man City, the ECHO takes a look at the Liverpool injury latest...

Isak was the Reds' match-winner at Bournemouth before the international break as his fourth goal of the Premier League season sealed a 1-0 triumph. He then took that form into the international arena as he opened the scoring in Sweden's 2-1 home win over Romania in the Nations League.

However, he was forced to return to the AXA Training Centre after sustaining a thigh injury. Sweden boss Graham Potter said: “He’s got a small problem with his thigh. It’s not a big one but because of the amount of games we’ve got in a small space of time, he won’t be able to make those.

“It was during the game. Like anything, you sometimes get bumps and bruises in the game, you might think it’s a bit of a dead leg or something. But actually as the 24 hours, 48 hours after the game, not quite what you think. Unfortunately after getting it checked out, it’s a little bit more than what you think during the match. He has to miss the rest of the camp.”

In an interview with beIN SPORTS, Iraola has addressed Isak's and Gakpo's injuries. He said: “I think Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries. Now it's a matter of if they are going to recover in time to help us in the next game or not. But right now they are both injured.”

Iraola will give a further update on Isak on Friday when he holds his press conference to preview the Man City clash. But the £125m man was not pictured in training on Thursday, raising doubts over his availability.

Potential return date: Unknown

Another forward who is in fantastic form for club and country is Gakpo, whose last-gasp goal denied a first win as Germany manager for Jurgen Klopp.

But in his next Netherlands match, Gakpo sustained an ankle injury after being the victim of a strong challenge from Serbia and Ipswich Town midfielder Sasa Lukic.

New Netherlands head coach Xavi said afterwards that he was hopeful the Liverpool man had avoided a serious injury, but Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink took to X (formerly Twitter) to say he will be out for "several weeks".

Iraola should reveal how true that is on Friday. But, like Isak, Gakpo did not appear to take part in training on Thursday.

Potential return date: Unknown

Liverpool were waiting to discover the extent of the fitness issue for Jacquet that forced him to miss France's Nations League clash with Belgium on Monday evening. The centre-back was absent from the 4-1 win with the French Football Federation releasing a statement declaring the centre-back had suffered a "strain to his left hamstring".

But new France boss Zinedine Zidane said afterwards that Jacquet, who has excelled in his debut campaign in England so far, was only "slightly injured" and the fact that he was spotted smiling when celebrating on the pitch after the game suggested all was well.

And Reds supporters got the news they wanted when the defender was pictured in training on Thursday.

Potential return date: Manchester City (H), Sunday, October 11

Along with Jacquet, Leoni represents the future of Liverpool's defence. And it seems like they could soon get the chance to play together given the latter is closing in a return to full training after being sidelined for more than a year with the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained on his debut for the club.

It is hoped the Italian could be back part of the main group by the middle of this month. Of course, having been out injured for so long makes it unlikely he will immediately be considered for selection.

But given the amount of matches the Reds play before the next international break, Leoni could well be targeting a place in the matchday squad in one of them if given the green light.

Potential return date: Chelsea (H), Wednesday, October 28

The second of Liverpool's three long-term injury victims, Ekitike has not played since rupturing his Achilles tendon against his former club Paris Saint-Germain in April.

But according to L'Equipe, the hard work the striker is putting in behind the scenes could see him return to training next month.

And it is believed that Ekitike's long-term target has been to get back into action by Boxing Day, which given the serious nature of the injury he sustained, would be remarkably swift comeback.

Potential return date: Hull City (A), Saturday, December 26

One attacker who should be back before then is Chiesa, who has yet to kick a ball this season.

However it would appear he's set to give Iraola a forward selection boost amid concerns over Gakpo and Isak, given the Italian was back in training at the AXA Training Centre on Thursday.

Potential return date: Manchester City (H), Sunday, October 11

Of all the players on this list, Bradley still feels the furthest away, with Iraola saying last month: "I think he is not close to training with the team. He’s training alone, but he has started touching the ball. Definitely, I want him as quick as possible ready, but it’s a long-term injury."

The right-back suffered an ACL injury back in January at Arsenal and his Northern Ireland manager, Michael O'Neill, also said last month that he didn't expect Bradley to be available for November's international matches.

Potential return date: Unknown

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