Liverpool vs Man City: Isak and Gakpo Ruled Out in Major Injury Blow

Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, 11 October, after Andoni Iraola confirmed both are injured. Kick-off remains 17:30 SAST. For South African punters, the clearest change is that Liverpool’s attack must now be assessed without two important options.

Both were fitness concerns in our Liverpool vs Man City preview published this morning. Friday’s confirmation settles that question and gives us a different set of selection and betting decisions to assess ahead of Sunday’s game.

What Liverpool Have Confirmed

In Liverpool’s official fitness update, Iraola said: “Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game. They are not ready.”

Isak has a thigh muscle injury, while Gakpo has an ankle problem. Iraola does not expect either issue to be long-term, but the club is monitoring their recovery day by day. He has ruled both out for Sunday without giving a fixed return date.

Isak has scored four goals in Liverpool’s opening five league matches. Losing that finishing threat alongside Gakpo’s attacking flexibility leaves Iraola with decisions about who leads the line and how the players around that forward create chances.

Who Could Lead Liverpool’s Attack?

Iraola’s explanation of his attacking options makes Lewis Koumas a player to watch. He said Liverpool probably have only Koumas available as an out-and-out No.9, with Hugo Ekitike also absent. That puts the Welsh forward in the frame for a start, rather than confirming that he will lead the line.

Bradley Barcola offers another way to arrange the attack. Iraola says the France international can cover all three forward positions, so his role could change depending on the selection. Federico Chiesa is back in training, although the manager stressed that he has yet to play any minutes during his recovery.

For scorer markets, the difference matters. A player selected through the middle may get different chances from one starting wide, while an option on the bench has a different route to contributing. Liverpool’s replacements need to be assessed on the roles they are actually given.

How the Injury News Could Affect the Odds

Our assessment is that, compared with a Liverpool side containing two fully fit forwards, these absences could tilt the match-result market towards City. Liverpool’s win price could lengthen, while City’s could shorten, if a bookmaker lowers its view of the hosts’ attacking threat.

The size of any response depends on what was already allowed for. Both players were doubts before Friday’s press conference. A bookmaker that had priced in their likely absence may make little further adjustment when the news is confirmed. A headline alone doesn’t tell you whether the available price has improved.

For illustration only, decimal odds of 2.50 imply a 40% chance, while 2.80 imply about 35.7%, before adjusting for the bookmaker’s margin. Those are example prices, not live quotes for this match. Our guide to how betting odds work explains the calculation and what the margin means.

At those example prices, a winning R100 bet would return R250 or R280, including your stake. The larger payout comes with a lower implied chance. The useful question is whether the price fairly reflects the team Liverpool can put on the pitch.

The effect also depends on the market you choose. These are possible responses to the injury news, with the final line-ups still important:

Haaland’s Fitness Complicates the Goals Read

City have confirmed that Erling Haaland is fit and available for Anfield after coming off as a precaution during Norway’s match against Portugal. Phil Foden remains suspended. Those updates belong alongside Liverpool’s news when you assess how the match might unfold.

There is also a positive update for Liverpool’s defence: Jeremy Jacquet is fit, according to Iraola, with another training session still to come on Saturday. The attacking absences and the defender’s availability affect different parts of the contest.

A reduced Liverpool scoring threat may strengthen the case for examining the hosts’ team-goals line. The total-goals market asks a wider question, because City could still contribute several goals. A more cautious Liverpool approach could also change the chances both sides create, so the game plan deserves attention.

Our soccer betting guide explains the difference between team goals, match totals and both teams to score. For this fixture, separating those questions gives you a clearer view than treating every goals bet as the same response to the injuries.

The Betting Read

Friday’s confirmation is a reason to revisit any Liverpool selection built around Isak starting or Gakpo being available. Our focus would be Liverpool’s team goals and the scoring requirement in a both-teams-to-score bet, alongside the price offered for City’s win.

For a weekend multi, reconsider any Liverpool leg that relied on those attacking options. Our accumulator betting guideexplains how an individual selection contributes to the whole ticket. Judge that leg on the updated team news and its price before carrying it into a larger bet.

The next decisive information is the XI Iraola selects. Who starts through the middle, how Barcola is used and which forwards are available from the bench will help explain how Liverpool intend to replace the missing pair. At 17:30 SAST on Sunday, we’ll see whether that revised attack can make its chances count against City.

StraightBet may earn a commission when you sign up through affiliate links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our editorial assessment.

Welcome bonus

10% Sport Free Bet Up To R1,000

18+. New Players Only. T&Cs apply.

Claim now ↗

Affiliate disclosure: StraightBet may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. This does not affect our editorial independence. 18+ only. Bet responsibly. Winners know when to stop. Get help and support.

18+ only. Betting carries risk, so keep it within your means and set your budget before kick-off. Use a bookmaker licensed in South Africa. For free, confidential support from the National Responsible Gambling Programme, call 0800 006 008 or WhatsApp HELP to 076 675 0710. Winners know when to stop.