Liverpool Face Injury Crisis Ahead of City Clash; Ex-Red Suggests Wirtz as False Nine
AM730 · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Liverpool could be without both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo for Sunday's blockbuster Premier League clash against Manchester City at Anfield. Both forwards sustained injuries during the international break, compounding concerns for manager Arne Slot ahead of the season's first encounter between two title contenders. Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has suggested deploying Florian Wirtz in a false nine role to address the attacking shortfall.
Key Points
- Isak suffered a thigh strain while playing for Sweden in the Nations League, and Gakpo also limped off during Netherlands duty, casting serious doubt over their availability
- New French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, signed this summer, also picked up a similar thigh injury and is unlikely to feature
- Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo is expected to shift inside to partner Ibrahima Konate at the heart of defence
- Aldridge, Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer, believes Wirtz could replicate Germany's tactical approach of playing a false nine
- Wirtz previously operated as a false nine at Bayer Leverkusen and showed promising form in that position
Why It Matters
This match represents the first heavyweight clash of the Premier League season between two clubs that have won eight of the past nine titles. Liverpool, now under new management following the appointment of Andoni Iraola from Bournemouth, have shown defensive improvement with just two goals conceded in their last five matches . City arrive having won all seven competitive matches this season, including a remarkable 1-0 victory at Old Trafford despite playing with ten men for much of the second half . The outcome could set the early tone in what promises to be a fiercely contested title race with Arsenal lurking as another major challenger.
This match represents the first heavyweight clash of the Premier League season between two clubs that have won eight of the past nine titles. Liverpool, now under new management following the appointment of Andoni Iraola from Bournemouth, have shown defensive improvement with just two goals conceded in their last five matches . City arrive having won all seven competitive matches this season, including a remarkable 1-0 victory at Old Trafford despite playing with ten men for much of the second half . The outcome could set the early tone in what promises to be a fiercely contested title race with Arsenal lurking as another major challenger.