Liverpool duo Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo have sustained respective injuries on international duty.
Isak played 90 minutes in Sweden's 2-1 victory over Romania in the Nations League on Friday night -- and even scored the opener -- but Liverpool confirmed that the centre forward has returned to Merseyside to be assessed after picking up a minor injury in the contest.
Gakpo was also on the scoresheet for the Netherlands in their 1-1 draw against Jurgen Klopp's Germany, and while the winger had no fresh fitness problems heading into their subsequent clash against Serbia, he was replaced by Ruben van Bommel just 16 minutes into the game due to injury.
We take a look at when the attacking duo could be in line to return for Andoni Iraola's side.
When is Alexander Isak expected to return?
Sweden manager Graham Potter confirmed that it was a thigh injury that forced Isak's return to Liverpool, where he will continue his rehabilitation.
During Potter's pre-match press conference ahead of Sweden's contest against Poland, he said: “He’s got a small problem with his thigh. It’s not a big one but because of the amount of games we’ve got in a small space of time, he won’t be able to make those.
"Not a big one but it's frustrating for him and obviously for us. It is what it is but we move forward with the players we have".
The advantage of a three-week international break is that Isak now has two weeks to recover before Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday 11th October.
Assuming there are no setbacks in his recovery in this time, he is expected to be available for the gameweek 6 encounter.
When is Cody Gakpo expected to return?
Gakpo -- who has enjoyed a fruitful start to the 2026/27 campaign after his proposed £85m switch to Man City collapsed in the summer -- was on the end of a heavy tackle from Serbia's Sasa Lukic in the 12th minute in Belgrade.
The forward tried to continue but signalled to the bench just five minutes later that he would not be able to continue, receiving treatment on his left ankle before being replaced by Van Bommel.
Speaking post-match, manager Xavi said: "It’s his ankle, that’s all I know. Tomorrow we will know, but hopefully it’s not too important.”
It's yet to be seen as to whether Gakpo -- like Isak -- will have to return to the AXA Training Centre in Merseyside for further assessment, with the Dutchman set to undergo scans in the coming days.
Iraola will hope to have Gakpo available for selection when the Reds face Man City in their first fixture back from the international break. However, a more serious issue could rule him out of the Anfield encounter, which would also make him a doubt for Liverpool's trip to Austria to face LASK in the UEFA Champions League just three days later.
