Fans of the beautiful game are eagerly awaiting the top-of-the-table clash between Liverpool and their fierce rivals, Manchester City, in the Premier League on Sunday evening, following the conclusion of the international break.
The match between the Reds and the Sky Blues carries significant importance, as it will be the latter's first game since receiving the shocking news of being found guilty on most of the 115 charges brought against them in the Premier League.
On the other hand, Liverpool needs fan support after suffering a heavy defeat against Arsenal in the Community Shield, especially as Manchester City has made an exceptional start to the new Premier League season, securing five consecutive wins to take an early lead at the top of the table.
Thanks to victories in the Champions League and the League Cup, new manager Enzo Maresca has achieved a perfect start, while Liverpool's manager, Andoni Iraola, whom he will face in the upcoming match, has also remained unbeaten in his seven games in charge, with four wins and three draws.
Injuries plague Liverpool ahead of the City clash
Iraola has been unlucky due to an injury list that grew during the international break, as Alexander Isak left the Sweden squad with a thigh injury after scoring in the win against Romania in the Nations League.
Although the injury to the Merseyside club's main striker is not serious, Liverpool fans are anxiously awaiting the results of the tests Isak is undergoing at the team's training ground.
Another Liverpool forward returned earlier than expected, Cody Gakpo, after recovering from an ankle injury sustained while playing for the Netherlands national team.
Iraola is strongly hoping that one or both players will be fit for the Manchester City match, given the continued absence of Frenchman Hugo Ekitike, although the striker is nearing a return to full training before the end of the year.
Two other players suffering from long-term injuries will also miss next Sunday's match; while Conor Bradley will have to wait a little longer before returning to group training, Giovanni Leoni is getting closer and closer to a comeback.
Meanwhile, Federico Chiesa's status remains uncertain, as he has not played any matches this season so far. The only player who will not face Liverpool is Phil Foden, after being sent off against Manchester United in the derby, which saw City lose (0-1).
Consequently, Foden has been suspended, while there are doubts about the participation of Antoine Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly, who withdrew from the Ghana and England squads respectively during the current international break.
