Liverpool XI vs Man City: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League

Bradley Barcola could be handed a new role for Liverpool’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City this weekend, amid a double injury blow.

“Cody has an ankle injury and it is a matter of him dealing with the pain,” the Reds head coach confirmed in the pre-match press conference. “It was a bad tackle.

"He is doing things individually. Alex has a thigh injury, it is a small injury but a muscle injury.

"They don't look like long-term. We will be analysing day-to-day."

With Isak and Gakpo ruled out, along with long-term injury absentee Hugo Ekitike, it means all three of Liverpool’s natural centre-forwards will be unavailable for selection against Man City.

Double injury blow: Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak

PA

Therefore, Iraola will have to get creative. Youngster Lewis Koumas has been named-dropped by the Reds boss, though a lack of Premier League experience is likely to be a deciding factor.

This leaves the options of using Florian Wirtz as a false nine, or Barcola - far more comfortable on the left-wing - operating through the middle.

The good news for Liverpool is that Jeremy Jacquet has shaken off a hamstring strain which forced him to miss France’s final Nations League game, meaning Iraola can keep faith in a back five that has kept three Premier League clean sheets in a row.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Szoboszlai, Barcola; Wirtz