The international break was supposed to give Andoni Iraola something Liverpool have barely had since the beginning of the season: time.

Time to assess the opening five Premier League games.

Time to work on the weaknesses that had already begun to emerge.

Time to prepare properly for Manchester City.

Instead, the break has handed Liverpool another problem.

Alexander Isak has returned from Sweden with a minor thigh issue, while Cody Gakpo has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad after suffering an ankle injury during their victory over Serbia.

Neither injury has yet been confirmed as serious, but both players are now back at Liverpool for further assessment.

And with Manchester City visiting Anfield on October 11, the timing could hardly be more inconvenient.

Isak has already become Liverpool’s attacking safety net.

The Swedish striker scored four times in his first five Premier League appearances and then continued that form internationally, giving Iraola exactly what he wanted from his new No.9: goals even when Liverpool’s attacking performance has not been perfect.

Gakpo has been just as important in a different way.

He has provided goals, link play and versatility across the front line, while his ability to drift between positions has made him one of the more reliable components of Iraola’s attack.

Losing one would create a problem.

Potentially losing both creates something much bigger.

Because Liverpool do not simply need to replace two goalscorers.

They need to replace two players who make the rest of the attack function.

Iraola has already made clear that he wants more from Isak.

The manager wants his striker to help Liverpool play higher up the pitch, retain meaningful possession and spend more time in the opposition half.

That is important because it means Liverpool cannot simply replace Isak with another player and expect the same structure.

His movement stretches defences.

His ability to receive the ball under pressure gives Liverpool an outlet.

His presence changes where centre-backs are willing to stand.

And, of course, he can finish.

If he is unavailable against City, Liverpool will need to find different ways of achieving those same things.

Barcola suddenly becomes even more important

Bradley Barcola’s arrival has already transformed Liverpool’s options on the wing.

Now, his importance could become even greater.

The France international offers pace, direct running and the ability to attack defenders one-on-one, but Liverpool may need more from him if Isak and Gakpo are both missing.

Victor Muñoz and Lewis Koumas also become significantly more important.

That is exciting.

It is also a huge ask.

Neither player was expected to carry the attacking burden against one of the Premier League’s strongest sides this early in the season.

That is what makes this situation so frustrating.

Liverpool have 18 first-team players away on international duty during an unusually long break, meaning Iraola was already going to have limited opportunities to work with his strongest XI.

He knew that.

He accepted it.

The plan was to use the players remaining at the AXA Training Centre to work intensely on the tactical details before preparing properly once the internationals returned.

Now the manager is likely to spend part of that time waiting for medical updates.

Liverpool’s season resumes with City.

The margin for error will be smaller.

And suddenly, the biggest question of the international break is no longer what Iraola can improve.

It is who he will actually have available.

There is an important distinction to make here.

Isak’s injury has been described as minor, while Gakpo will undergo further assessment.

Liverpool therefore do not yet know whether either player will miss the City game.

There is no reason to turn uncertainty into certainty.

But the situation is worth watching because of what it says about Liverpool’s squad.

The club have spent heavily on attacking quality this summer.

They have Isak.

They have Barcola.

They have Wirtz.

They have Gakpo.

They have young players pushing through.

Yet injuries can expose the difference between having quality and having enough of the right profiles.

That is what Iraola may now have to navigate.

The international break was supposed to be Liverpool’s opportunity to reset.

Instead, it has created another question for their new head coach.

And before Manchester City arrive at Anfield, there is only one question that really matters:

Who will be fit enough to play?