Iraola Could Hand Surprise Debut to 6 ft 4 Liverpool Player vs Man City

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is facing something of an injury crisis in his frontline ahead of hosting Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool are the first opponent for City after they were found guilty of all 115 charges in relation to breaching the Premier League's financial regulations during the extended international break, and they will be determined to beat Enzo Maresca's men.

What is sure is that Anfield will be a cauldron on Sunday afternoon and the visitors will be in for a hostile reception, and Iraola will need to ensure his players are ready to perform in that atmosphere.

The Spaniard has some injury worries ahead of the clash as he looks to maintain the club's unbeaten start to the campaign, with Jeremy Jacquet ruled out of France's final Nations League fixture against Belgium this week because of a tight hamstring.

It remains unclear whether the centre-back will be fit to face City, with the potential that Ronald Araujo or Joe Gomez could be used alongside Virgil van Dijk instead.

Iraola is facing bigger issues in attack though, after Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak both withdrew from international duty after picking up issues.

The Spaniard has confirmed that 'both are injured', with Gakpo suffering an ankle injury that his manager will be hoping isn't too serious given he has been one of the club's best players this season, while Isak was ruled out for Sweden with a thigh issue.

If both players are ruled out on Sunday, then it gives Iraola a real selection conundrum.

While he has plenty of wide options to pick from when Gakpo is absent, with Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha all available, and Jeremie Frimpong able to play higher up on the right if needed, Isak being out would cause a big issue.

Iraola Faces Liverpool Striker Dilemma

With Hugo Ekitike already a long-term absentee, Iraola would be left without a recognised senior centre-forward should Isak miss out against City.

The 44-year-old does have a couple of options available to him though, with Barcola and Munoz two players who could play through the middle if needed, while he could consider using Florian Wirtz as a false 9.

Lewis Koumas also started in the position against Tottenham in the EFL Cup and could be another option to start.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reported this week that many believe that 18-year-old Will Wright has been tipped to be the next Liverpool academy star to make the step-up to the first-team, and it could come as soon as this weekend.

The 6ft 4in striker is yet to make a senior appearance for the Reds, but he has been in prolific form for their Under-21 side and is being tipped for big things.

His manager at that level, Robert Page, has been impressed by what he has seen from the former Salford City centre-forward.

Will is a proper striker. He loves a battle and he is all for the battle. He grinds the opposition defenders down.

"For his goal, I thought it was a great first touch and a great finish. I'm really pleased for him because of all the work and effort he puts in. He deserves his rewards."

While he is unlikely to be thrown straight into the starting XI in such a big game, it would be no surprise to see him included on the substitutes' bench if Isak is completely ruled out of the fixture.

And if he is on the bench and Liverpool need a striker to hold up the ball later in the game, then we could see Wright make his bow in a red shirt on the very biggest stage.