Liverpool’s trip into the Manchester City fixture has been shaped by a problem no elite club wants on the eve of its biggest match: the loss of both of its most influential attackers. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, injured while representing Sweden and the Netherlands during the international break, have been ruled out of the Anfield showdown. Neither injury is described as long-term, but their absence against the Premier League leaders is severe enough to force Andoni Iraola into a complete rethink of Liverpool’s attacking structure.
This is not an ordinary selection headache. Isak is Liverpool’s central reference point, a striker capable of stretching defences, combining with midfield and finishing with clinical calm. Gakpo is the team’s most in-form wide threat, a player who can attack defenders directly, cut inside, drift centrally and create chances from the left. Losing both at once removes the two players who have carried Liverpool’s attacking identity in the early weeks of the season.
The timing makes it worse. Manchester City arrive at Anfield amid the most intense off-field scrutiny of their modern history, following the verdict that found them guilty of 114 of 115 financial charges. Liverpool supporters will demand a response, but Iraola must produce one without the two forwards who have made his attack most dangerous. The result is an unprecedented attacking crisis: not because Liverpool lack quality, but because the players who best express that quality are unavailable at the same moment.
Two Injuries, One Structural Problem
Isak suffered a small thigh injury during Sweden’s match against Romania, while Gakpo was injured by a heavy challenge from Saša Lukić during the Netherlands’ win over Serbia. Iraola confirmed that neither player would be available for City, although he stressed that the problems do not appear to be long-term. Isak’s thigh issue will be managed according to how he responds to treatment, while Gakpo’s ankle injury is being assessed on a day-to-day basis.
The distinction matters. A short-term injury can still disrupt a major fixture, but it does not necessarily signal a season-defining crisis. Liverpool’s real concern is the immediate tactical void. Isak and Gakpo are not interchangeable pieces who can be replaced by simply moving another attacker into their positions.
Isak’s absence removes a central striker who can hold the ball, run behind defenders and turn half-chances into goals. Gakpo’s absence removes width, dribbling and a left-sided threat that forces opponents to defend differently. Together, they gave Liverpool two very different ways to hurt opponents: direct central movement and wide, unpredictable creation.
Without both, Liverpool may become more predictable. Opponents can defend the central area more confidently, knowing that the attack may need to rely on midfield runners, wide rotations or a less experienced forward.
Isak: The Missing Reference Point
Isak’s value is not limited to goals. He gives Liverpool a focal point that allows the rest of the attack to function around him. When he receives with his back to goal, he can hold possession and bring midfielders into play. When he runs beyond the defensive line, he creates space for the wingers. When he drops between the lines, he can link the phases and force opposing centre-backs to make difficult decisions.
Against Manchester City, those qualities would have been especially important. City’s possession-based style means Liverpool may have fewer opportunities to attack. Every counterattack, long pass or recovery in midfield must be used efficiently. Isak is the type of striker who can turn one clean transition into a genuine chance.
His absence also affects Liverpool’s pressing. A central striker is often the first line of defence. If he cannot press with intensity, the midfield may have to step higher, which can leave gaps behind. Alternatively, Liverpool may choose a false-nine structure, but that changes the team’s ability to attack crosses and long balls.
The thigh injury adds another layer of caution. Muscle injuries are particularly sensitive because rushing a player back can turn a minor issue into a prolonged absence. Liverpool cannot afford to risk Isak for one match if doing so damages his availability for the weeks that follow.
Gakpo: The Missing Creative Edge
Gakpo’s ankle injury is equally damaging because he has been Liverpool’s most effective wide creator. His form has given the attack a different dimension: he can isolate full-backs, cut inside onto his stronger foot, combine with midfielders and arrive in the penalty area at the right moment.
Against City, Gakpo’s ability to attack space would have been valuable. City often control possession, so Liverpool may need to make the most of transitions. A winger who can carry the ball 30 or 40 metres at speed can turn a defensive recovery into an attacking opportunity before City’s structure recovers.
Gakpo’s absence also reduces Liverpool’s ability to stretch the pitch. Without a natural left-sided threat, City may be able to keep their defensive shape narrower. That could make it harder for Liverpool to create central space for midfield runners.
The ankle injury is particularly concerning because it affects a player’s ability to change direction, accelerate and strike the ball cleanly. Even if Gakpo were able to tolerate the pain, his explosiveness could be reduced. Liverpool must therefore avoid treating him as a short-term solution if the injury limits his movement.
The Youth Solution: Lewis Koumas
Iraola’s most obvious alternative is Lewis Koumas. The 21-year-old Wales international has made five appearances this season and could be given the opportunity to lead the attack against City. Iraola has publicly endorsed him as a possible option, but this would be an enormous leap in responsibility.
Koumas offers energy, movement and a willingness to run in behind. Those qualities could help Liverpool attack City’s defensive line, especially if the home side intends to play on the counter. His youth may also bring fearlessness. A young forward may not carry the same psychological burden as an established star.
But starting a 21-year-old against City is a major gamble. The match will demand more than enthusiasm. Liverpool’s striker must press intelligently, hold the ball when needed, link with midfield and remain composed in front of goal. Koumas has potential, but he has not yet carried the attacking burden of a fixture of this magnitude.
The manager may therefore prefer a collective solution rather than placing the entire responsibility on one young player. Liverpool could use a fluid front three, with players rotating positions and sharing the pressing workload. That would reduce the risk of Koumas becoming isolated.
The False Nine Option
Another possibility is to play without a traditional striker. Liverpool could use a midfielder or attacking midfielder in a false-nine role, drawing City’s centre-backs out of position and creating space for runners behind them.
This approach could help Liverpool control possession and create overloads in midfield. Against City, that may be attractive because the visitors are likely to dominate the ball for long periods. A false nine could also allow Liverpool to press more cohesively, with the front line moving together rather than relying on one striker to lead the press.
However, the system has limitations. Without a natural striker, Liverpool may lack a target in the penalty area. City’s defenders could defend higher with less fear of a run behind them. If Liverpool win the ball in transition, they may not have a player positioned to attack the space immediately.
The false nine must therefore be more than a tactical label. The player in that role must be capable of dropping deep, receiving under pressure and making quick decisions. He must also know when to vacate the central area so that a winger or midfielder can attack the space.
The Wider Attacking Rotation
Liverpool’s remaining attackers will need to share the responsibility. Players such as Federico Chiesa, Rio Ngumoha, Jeremie Frimpong and others could be asked to play in unfamiliar roles or take on greater attacking responsibility.
The absence of two forwards changes the rotation plan. A manager normally protects players by substituting them during congested periods. Without Isak and Gakpo, Liverpool may have fewer natural attacking replacements. A player who would normally be rested may need to start, while a young player may need to be involved earlier than planned.
That affects the team’s intensity. Liverpool’s pressing style depends on fresh legs and coordinated movement. If the front three cannot rotate effectively, the pressing may weaken in the final stages. City are capable of exploiting fatigue better than almost any team in the league.
The attacking crisis therefore becomes a fitness and tactical issue at the same time. Liverpool must find a way to remain dangerous without exhausting the players available.
The Midfield Must Carry More
With Isak and Gakpo absent, Liverpool’s midfielders must contribute more in attack. The team cannot rely solely on wide players or a young striker to create chances. Midfielders need to make late runs into the box, arrive at the edge of the area and provide passing options between the lines.
This is where Liverpool’s midfield balance becomes crucial. If too many midfielders push forward, City can exploit the space behind them. If too few advance, Liverpool may lack numbers in the final third. The team must find a way to attack without losing its defensive structure.
One solution is to use staggered runs. One midfielder may support the striker, another may arrive late in the box and a third may remain deeper to protect against counters. This creates multiple attacking threats without leaving the defence exposed.
The midfield must also improve its final-ball quality. Without Gakpo’s dribbling, Liverpool may need more precise passes into the channels. Without Isak’s hold-up play, the midfield may need to carry the ball further forward before releasing the attack.
The Defensive Consequence
An attacking crisis can become a defensive problem. If Liverpool cannot retain possession or create sustained pressure, City will spend more time in Liverpool’s half. The home side’s defenders will face more pressure, and the midfield may be forced deeper.
This is why the absence of Isak and Gakpo affects the entire team. A striker who can hold the ball gives defenders time to move up the pitch. A winger who can beat defenders gives the team an outlet. Without those outlets, Liverpool may be forced to defend for longer periods.
The solution is not simply to defend deeper. Liverpool must remain brave in possession, even if the attacking options are limited. A cautious approach could invite City to dominate territory and create sustained pressure.
The team must find a balance between security and ambition. It cannot afford to abandon its identity, but it also cannot ignore the reality that its two most dangerous attackers are unavailable.
The Psychological Challenge
The absence of Isak and Gakpo creates a psychological challenge as much as a tactical one. Liverpool’s supporters will expect a response against City, especially given the off-field controversy surrounding the visitors. The atmosphere at Anfield will be intense, and the home side must feed off that energy rather than be overwhelmed by it.
The players who remain must believe they can win. A team that enters a match thinking only about who is missing will struggle to perform. The manager must give the available players a clear plan and the confidence to execute it.
The young players may benefit from that belief. A player like Koumas may feel pressure, but he may also see the match as an opportunity. If he plays with freedom rather than fear, he could become a surprise factor.
The senior players must lead by example. They cannot afford to hide behind the absence of Isak and Gakpo. The team’s identity must remain intact even when its most famous attackers are unavailable.
Why the Crisis Feels Unprecedented
Liverpool have dealt with injuries before, but this situation feels different because of the timing and the combination of absences. Losing one key attacker before a major fixture is difficult. Losing both of the team’s most influential forwards at once is a structural crisis.
The problem is not only that Liverpool lack goals. It is that they lack the players who make the attack function in different ways. Isak provides a central reference point, while Gakpo provides width and creativity. Together, they give the attack balance. Without them, Liverpool must find a new way to create chances.
The international break has exposed a wider issue in modern football. Clubs invest heavily in players, but they cannot control what happens during international duty. A single tackle or muscle strain can remove a key player from a major fixture. Liverpool’s situation is a reminder that squad depth is not just about having good players. It is about having players who can step into specific roles at short notice.
The Road Ahead
The immediate challenge is Manchester City, but the longer-term concern is how Liverpool manage the weeks that follow. Isak and Gakpo are not expected to be long-term absentees, but their return dates remain uncertain. The club must avoid rushing them back, especially with a demanding schedule ahead.
In the short term, Iraola must find a way to compete without his two most dangerous attackers. In the longer term, he must ensure that the team does not become overly dependent on individual brilliance. A squad that relies too heavily on two players becomes vulnerable when those players are unavailable.
The attacking crisis is therefore a test of Liverpool’s depth, tactical flexibility and mental strength. The team must find a way to remain competitive without its two most influential forwards. That will require collective effort, intelligent rotation and a clear tactical plan.
Liverpool’s attacking crisis is not just about missing players. It is about missing the structure that made the attack function. Isak and Gakpo gave the team balance, variety and threat. Without them, Liverpool must reinvent its approach against the league leaders.
The challenge is enormous, but it is also an opportunity. If Liverpool can find a way to compete without Isak and Gakpo, the squad will emerge stronger. If they cannot, the international break may have done more than remove two players. It may have exposed a deeper vulnerability in the team’s attacking depth.
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