Two key forwards in a race against time

Liverpool's preparations for Sunday's visit of Manchester City have been dealt a potential double blow, with Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak both absent from Thursday's training session at the AXA Training Centre. The pair have been battling injury since being sent back early from their respective international duties, and with the match now days away, question marks remain over whether either will be available.

Gakpo picked up an ankle problem during Netherlands' 2-1 win in Serbia, where he was caught in a challenge by Ipswich Town's Sasa Lukic. Isak, who had scored during Sweden's victory over Romania, was withdrawn from the squad with a toe issue that Graham Potter described as a small problem. Neither man trained on Thursday, leaving Andoni Iraola short of firepower at precisely the moment he needs it most.

Iraola was candid about the situation when speaking to beIN SPORTS earlier in the week. "I think Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries," he said. "Now it's a matter of if they are going to recover in time to help us in the next game or not. But right now they are both injured."

How much does Liverpool need them?

The timing could hardly be worse. Between them, Gakpo and Isak have contributed six goals and five assists under Iraola, making them central to how Liverpool attack. Losing both of them for a fixture of this magnitude would be a significant problem, and not just in terms of goals, their movement and pressing are fundamental to how the Reds set up.

Sunday's contest carries extra weight beyond the usual Premier League rivalry. Liverpool welcome a Manchester City side sitting top of the table, playing their first match since an independent commission found them guilty of the majority of the 115 financial charges brought against them, a verdict City have appealed. Iraola's side are unbeaten and have had three weeks to prepare, but if their two most dangerous forwards cannot start, those advantages shrink considerably.

Iraola is scheduled to speak to the media at 1.30pm on Friday, and that press conference will likely offer a clearer picture of where both players stand. It is the update Liverpool supporters will be paying close attention to.

Jacquet's return a rare piece of good news

Amidst the uncertainty up front, there was at least one positive for Iraola. Jeremy Jacquet, who had suffered a minor hamstring issue whilst on international duty with France and missed their 4-1 win over Belgium on Monday, returned to full training on Thursday. The £60m defender started in the gym before joining the rest of the squad out on the pitches, suggesting he is in contention to feature at the weekend.

Jacquet had been making his mark for Zinedine Zidane's France side before the setback, impressing across back-to-back appearances, and his return to fitness gives Iraola a timely defensive option to work with. Whether or not Gakpo and Isak can follow suit before Sunday afternoon will define just how well-equipped Liverpool are to take on the Premier League leaders.