Liverpool Round-Up, Wednesday 7th October: Iraola Issues Isak and Gakpo Injury Update Ahead of Man City's Guilty-Verdict Clash at Anfield
Andoni Iraola has been busy ahead of the Reds' return to action, confirming that 18 players are back from international duty with updates still awaited on Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool.com). The head coach revealed both Isak and Gakpo returned from the break with injuries and are doubts for the visit of Manchester City, while he also addressed the magnitude of facing a club just found guilty of financial breaches (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield). Iraola called up a group of youngsters for four days of "intense" first-team training to cover for the absentees (This Is Anfield), and with Jacquet also a doubt after missing France's win over Belgium with a hamstring issue, Liverpool Echo have run the rule over two possible replacements (Liverpool Echo). This Is Anfield note Liverpool had three injuries, three players who played maximum minutes and five goals scored by Reds across the international break (This Is Anfield).
Looking ahead to Sunday, Iraola says he wants his side to "hurt" Manchester City and expects a frosty Anfield reception for the Etihad club following their guilty verdict (Liverpool.com). Liverpool Echo's tactical analysis sets out how the Reds can exploit a City side they describe as unbeaten but reeling (Liverpool Echo). It has also emerged that Liverpool were among four clubs given advance notice of the Man City verdict (This Is Anfield), while Jamie Carragher has given his view on how City's players might react if relegation were ultimately confirmed and on what punishment the club should face (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo). Liverpool Echo also report on what City are said to have told their own players before the verdict, via comments from Gianluigi Donnarumma's agent, a story also covered by Liverpool.com (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool.com). Kyle Walker has said the ruling "doesn't look great" but insisted City's achievements cannot be taken away (This Is Anfield).
On the injury and fitness front away from the first-team squad, This Is Anfield assess that Virgil van Dijk's heavy workload - said to be around 5,000 minutes at the age of 35 - is something Liverpool cannot ignore (This Is Anfield). At Under-21 level, Rob Page explained Jayden Danns' absence from the EFL Trophy defeat at Doncaster and gave a fitness update on the striker, who looks unlikely to be an emergency first-team option against City (Liverpool Echo) (This Is Anfield) (LiverpoolFC.com) (Liverpool.com). Ian Doyle also picked out talking points from that Doncaster game, including a defender who looks set for a loan spell and a striker Page feels deserves more (Liverpool Echo).
There was plenty from the international break too. Florian Wirtz is reportedly being prioritised after Jurgen Klopp spoke about getting him on the ball more often for Germany, with Klopp and Iraola said to be in agreement over his progress (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool.com). Wirtz was also praised for an impressive recent moment that drew comparisons to former Red Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool.com), though Didi Hamann and Frank Lebouef have made claims about regrets over his Liverpool move and pushed back on suggestions Mohamed Salah is to blame for his struggles (Liverpool Echo). Alexis Mac Allister featured prominently in Lionel Messi's farewell appearance for Argentina, earning praise and a strong individual rating while also dividing opinion in the Argentine media (Liverpool.com) (LiverpoolFC.com) (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool Echo). Elsewhere, Andy Robertson gave a blunt assessment of his own struggles for Scotland in their home defeat to Slovenia (Liverpool.com), while Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz both came off the bench during the break (Liverpool.com).
Two Liverpool players became caught up in a political row during the international period. Liverpool Echo and Liverpool.com report that a Reds player, named as Milos Kerkez, has been added to an 'enemies of Ukraine' list by the NGO Myrotvorets, with Hungary's deputy prime minister condemning the move (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool.com).
On the transfer front, Liverpool.com report the Reds are being linked with a potential $151 million double swoop for two Premier League stars (Liverpool.com). Liverpool Echo note a stir around Michael Olise's contract situation along with an early transfer call on a young Reds player (Liverpool Echo). TeamTalk report that Liverpool have joined a lengthening list of clubs - now said to number 11 - showing interest in 15-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt playmaker Niko Iličević (TeamTalk). This Is Anfield report that the agent of Gilberto Mora has refused to confirm claims of a "historic" Liverpool bid (This Is Anfield), while Liverpool.com report revived claims that Kylian Mbappe "wants Liverpool" amid talk he could leave Real Madrid in 2027 (Liverpool.com).
Away from the pitch, LiverpoolFC.com have released a new book, Liverpool's Greatest, celebrating 100 Reds stars (LiverpoolFC.com), and carried an interview in which a former coach named Steven Gerrard as the best player he ever worked with, ahead of names like Eto'o, Ronaldo and Benzema (LiverpoolFC.com). There's also a nod to Man City boss Mikel Arteta signing a new contract and what it means for Iraola's long-term challenge (This Is Anfield), while fans can enjoy This Is Anfield's rundown of the Kop's Top 5 European nights as chosen by Brian Reade (This Is Anfield), and test themselves with a 14-clue Liverpool FC crossword (This Is Anfield).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.