Liverpool injury update: Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Reds have some huge concerns ahead of Man City showdown at Anfield

Andoni Iraola is just days away from his biggest Liverpool test to date, and he has major injury concerns ahead of Manchester City's visit.

This weekend's showdown at Anfield will be interesting in more ways than one, particularly after Man City - who have launched an appeal - were found guilty by an independent commission of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations.

With many Liverpool supporters feeling aggrieved at missing out in two title races with City by a single point, it's been widely predicted that a hostile atmosphere awaits the current Premier League leaders.

However, the Reds are sweating over the fitness of two key attackers in Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo after they reported back from international duty earlier than expected.

With that in mind, here is the latest Liverpool injury news and return dates.

Alexander Isak

Last weekend it was announced that Isak has withdrawn from the Sweden squad and returned to Liverpool for further assessment on a minor injury.

The Reds are yet to provide a fresh update on the striker's thigh injury which he sustained during the win against Romania on September 25, but Sweden boss Graham Potter stressed the issue wasn't too serious.

“He’s got a small problem with his thigh,” Potter said. “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.

Double blow: Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak both withdrew from international duty

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“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.

“Our medical team has been in contact with the club. Obviously it’s our decision in the first place because of his status, in terms of his injury. Once that’s the case, we have to inform everybody. That’s just normal."

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

Cody Gakpo

Gakpo was the Netherlands’ hero against Germany, scoring a stoppage time equaliser to deny his former manager Jurgen Klopp a debut victory in international management.

However, the Dutchman did not last as long in the second game as he was on the receiving end of a strong tackle from Sasa Lukic against Serbia in the first half and then requested to be taken off after attempting to carry on.

Gakpo has put forward a strong case as Liverpool’s best attacking player so far this season and Iraola will be desperate the ankle injury is not too serious.

He has now returned to Liverpool early for assessment.

Potential return date: Unknown

Giovanni Leoni

Leoni signed for Liverpool from Parma last summer in a deal worth around £26million, but a serious knee injury means he has been limited to just one senior appearance so far.

The Italian central defender made his Liverpool debut in a Carabao Cup third round tie against Southampton in September 2025, and impressed before landing awkwardly following a challenge near the touchline just over 10 minutes from time.

Leoni required treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and it was later confirmed he had suffered an ACL tear.

He was expected to miss a full year of action, which has proved to be the case.

Comeback close: Giovanni Leoni should be back in action for Liverpool this month

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In a huge boost for Liverpool, it has been reported by The Athletic that Leoni should be back in full training from October 12, following the Premier League showdown with Man City at Anfield.

That said, having been sidelined for over a year, he will, perhaps, need some minutes for the under-21s before being considered for first-team action. Though, the Carabao Cup game against Chelsea at the end of the month could be a realistic target.

Potential return date: Tuesday October 27, vs Chelsea (H)

Federico Chiesa

Federico Chiesa has also yet to play for Liverpool competitively under Iraola, having sat out the first seven games of the season due to what was described as a “small muscle injury” in his back sustained during the friendly against Como in August.

Iraola confirmed that the Italian forward would not be in contention to face Bournemouth, though it is presumably hoped that he could be ready after the extended international break with more time to have worked on his fitness.

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

Hugo Ekitike

Hugo Ekitike has not played since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in the second leg of Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain in April.

The Frenchman missed the end of last season and the World Cup, with suggestions that he would remain sidelined for a period of between nine to 12 months, which would put him on track to return between January and April next year.

Iraola recently sprung a surprise by including Ekitike in his squad for the league phase of the Champions League, with the hope that he could potentially return for the final two games in January, against Inter Milan and Lens.

Working his way back: Hugo Ekitike was included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad

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According to reports in France, Ekitike is now targeting a return from injury before the end of the year after recently travelling to the United States to visit a specialist about his recovery.

Potential return date: November or December

Conor Bradley

Conor Bradley is another long-term absentee for Liverpool, having undergone surgery on bone and ligament damage to his left knee suffered during the closing stages of the goalless draw with Arsenal in the Premier League back in January.

Providing a new update on the Northern Ireland international, Iraola said: “He is not close to training with the team. He is training alone but he has started touching the ball. We want him back as soon as possible.

“He has a road a little bit ahead of him and it is going to take some time.

“I think [Giovanni] Leoni is a little bit ahead of him and still it’s going to take some time for Conor, yes.”