Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Liverpool - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 23, 2026 Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo for Sunday's heavyweight Premier League clash with leaders Manchester City at Anfield, manager Andoni Iraola said on Friday.

Isak's absence is a significant blow after the striker had finally found his form, scoring four goals in the opening five league games.

Neither injury is believed to be long-term, with Gakpo's availability ⁠ depending on how he copes with the pain while the club monitors both players day by day.

Iraola said a demanding stretch of games before the next international break in November would provide a ​ significant test of Liverpool's credentials.

"I think this run of games we have now (with league and Champions League campaigns resuming), ‌ the demands ⁠ are very high, they are also very condensed, so I think it will say a lot about us," Iraola said.

"I think after this run of games, we will really know where we are."

City top the table as the only team with a 100% record after five games, while Liverpool are six points ​ behind them in sixth, with ​ two wins and three ⁠ draws.

The rivalry alone would make Sunday's clash a blockbuster, but the spotlight on Anfield will be considerably more intense with City playing for the first time ​ since an independent commission found them guilty of more than 100 breaches ​ of the Premier ⁠ League's financial rules.

A social media post promoting a "Bus greeting" has urged Liverpool supporters to gather near the stadium several hours before kickoff with flags, banners, pyrotechnics and flares ahead of the arrival of the City players' ⁠ bus.

City have denied any wrongdoing and have lodged an appeal.