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Liverpool face one of their most challenging fixtures of the campaign on Sunday as they host Manchester City at Anfield in a high-stakes Premier League encounter.
City occupy first place after claiming victory in each of their opening five matches, while Liverpool, who remain unbeaten under Andoni Iraola but have managed only two wins to date, are eager to narrow the deficit.
The ongoing controversy surrounding City's financial misconduct case adds yet another dimension of tension to the fixture.
Having been found guilty of over 100 violations of financial regulations, the club now awaits a ruling on possible sanctions. Liverpool supporters may feel especially bitter, given that the Reds finished as runners-up to City on three occasions during the period under scrutiny, a factor that could contribute to a particularly charged atmosphere.
Liverpool's challenge has been further complicated by the likely absence of two crucial attacking players. Alexander Isak, the club's top scorer this season, and Cody Gakpo, their leading assist provider, are both expected to sit out the match.
So, what is keeping the two Liverpool stars out of the Manchester City clash?
Why Aren't Isak, Gakpo Playing for Liverpool Against Manchester City?
Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo have both been ruled out of Liverpool's showdown with Manchester City after sustaining injuries during the recent international break.
Isak picked up a hamstring issue while on duty with Sweden against Romania last month, which forced him to withdraw from the nation's most recent UEFA Nations League fixtures.
The setback represents the fifth injury the 27-year-old has suffered since arriving at Liverpool, including a broken leg he sustained back in December.
Gakpo, meanwhile, sustained an ankle injury while featuring for the Netherlands in their 2–1 win over Serbia, depriving Liverpool of yet another key attacking option ahead of Sunday's clash.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Iraola confirmed that neither player would be fit to feature.
"Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game. They are not ready," said the Spaniard. "Unfortunately for us, both got injuries during the international break. As a club manager, you are always waiting until the games end, that the doctor doesn't call you and then gives you bad news.
"But in this case we've been unlucky with Alex and Cody. Both of them are injured and they are not going to be involved on Sunday."
There is, however, some encouraging news for Liverpool, with Iraola indicating that neither injury appears to be serious in nature, fuelling optimism that both players could return to the squad in the near future.
"They both don't look like long term," he added. "We will be analyzing day to day. But they are not going to arrive on Sunday."
On a brighter note, young centre-back Jérémy Jacquet is fit and available despite sitting out France's UEFA Nations League fixture against Belgium earlier in the week. Federico Chiesa has also resumed training after the injury he picked up during the pre-season.