INTERNATIONAL

Isak & Gakpo Injury Scare Rocks Liverpool Ahead of Daunting October

📅 October 1, 2026 · By Liberia Sports Live · AI-assisted match report · 👁 5

Double Injury Blow During International Break

Liverpool's preparations for a gruelling October schedule have been thrown into chaos after two of their most important attackers picked up injuries while away on international duty. Alexander Isak was the first concern, with the club confirming he had to leave the Sweden squad early after suffering what Liverpool described as a "minor injury" — later identified as a thigh problem — despite playing the full 90 minutes and scoring in Sweden's 2-1 win over Romania. Sweden manager Graham Potter sought to play down the severity, but confirmed the 27-year-old forward was heading back to Merseyside for further assessment at the AXA Training Centre.

Within hours, a second alarm bell rang at Anfield. Cody Gakpo was forced off after just 17 minutes of the Netherlands' Nations League match against Serbia on Sunday, September 27, having received a heavy challenge from midfielder Saša Lukić that left him with an apparent ankle problem. Gakpo had scored in the Netherlands' earlier 1-1 draw with Germany — Jürgen Klopp's first match in charge of his new side — making the setback even more painful. Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernández said he was hopeful the problem was not serious, but stressed that scans would be needed to determine the full picture. Gakpo has since withdrawn from the Dutch squad entirely.

Why It Matters So Much

Together, Isak and Gakpo have scored five of Liverpool's seven Premier League goals this season, making them absolutely central to manager Andoni Iraola's plans. With Hugo Ekitike also currently sidelined, Liverpool could be left with 21-year-old Lewis Koumas as their only recognised fit centre-forward, with Bradley Barcola available as a makeshift option if needed. Liverpool's first match back from the break is the huge home fixture against Manchester City on October 11 — a side that hammered the Reds 4-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final just months ago. After that, Liverpool face six games across three competitions — the Premier League, the Champions League, and the Carabao Cup — in the space of 17 days.

The Bigger October Picture

Iraola's side enter this period in reasonable Premier League form, their most recent result being a 1-0 win away at Bournemouth on September 20. The upcoming October schedule also features a Champions League away trip to LASK in Austria on October 14 — a side who sensationally came back from 4-0 down against Celtic in qualifying — as well as home games against Villarreal (October 20), Brighton (October 25), and Chelsea (October 28). Florian Wirtz, meanwhile, continues to divide opinion among supporters and pundits alike, with former Liverpool commentator Jamie Carragher suggesting the £117.5 million signing may never rediscover the devastating form he showed at Bayer Leverkusen.

Transfer Talk

(Rumour) Liverpool are being strongly linked with a move for Brentford winger Kevin Schade, 24, whose eye-catching start to the 2026-27 season — three goals in five Premier League games — has attracted serious attention from across the top flight. According to Sky Sports and Football Insider, Liverpool and Arsenal are considered the keenest admirers, with Liverpool scouts believed to have watched Schade closely in recent weeks. Brentford, who have opened talks with Schade over a new deal, are eager to fend off interest, though the German international has two years left on his current contract. There are no public quotes from Schade's camp on the matter.

(Rumour) Separately, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that Liverpool are very pleased with on-loan Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo and could trigger their option to buy him permanently for €55 million. The 27-year-old Uruguayan has made seven appearances for the Reds, drawing praise from Iraola for his ability to play at both right-back and centre-back. Finally, an analyst quoted by Football Insider has suggested Iraola could look to reshape his squad in January, with Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, Joe Gomez, and Jeremie Frimpong all mentioned as players who could potentially make way — though no formal move has been indicated by the club.

Sources

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