Ahead of Sunday’s monumental clash with Manchester City at Anfield, Andoni Iraola will step up to the microphone at the AXA Training Centre for his first pre-match press conference in three weeks.
For Liverpool fans, it feels like an eternity since the Reds last kicked a ball and the backdrop to this weekend couldn't be more huge.
Between a grueling international break that left key men limping back to Kirkby, the massive financial guilty verdict handed down to Sunday’s opponents, and emotional hints about Virgil van Dijk’s future, Iraola’s briefing is set to be a blockbuster.
Friday’s briefing is set to unleash massive talking points ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Manchester City.
Here are the three pivotal questions hanging over Iraola’s head and why every Liverpool fan needs to be watching closely.
1. The casualty list: Isak, Gakpo, and Jacquet in a race against time
The three-week extended break was supposed to offer rest, but for Iraola, watching the international fixtures unfold must have been a nervous experience. Liverpool return to domestic action facing a full-blown fitness crisis across their frontline and defence.
Last summer record summer signing Alexander Isak started the campaign in red-hot form, smashing four goals in his first five Premier League outings. However, his momentum was abruptly halted during Sweden’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Romania, forcing him to withdraw from international duty early with a thigh injury.
To make matters worse, Cody Gakpo who has been an integral outlet in Iraola's attack lasted just 17 minutes for the Netherlands against Serbia. The Dutchman took a heavy blow from Sasa Lukic and, despite trying to run it off, was forced to ask to come off with an ankle problem.
Both attackers returned to Merseyside immediately for assessment, but speaking earlier to beIN SPORTS, Iraola couldn't hide his concern which can be read here
The defensive unit hasn't been spared, either. Summer signing Jeremy Jacquet who has formed a formidable, unbeaten partnership alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defence missed France’s 4-1 win over Belgium on Monday night after suffering a strain to his left hamstring.
With Isak and Gakpo facing races against time, the immediate question on every Liverpool fan’s mind is who leads the line against City’s backline.
Could we genuinely see Bradley Barcola and academy star Lewis Koumas paired in attack?
With long-term absentees Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley still ruled out, Federico Chiesa yet to feature due to a lingering back injury, and young defender Giovanni Leoni only just edging back into full training following a year-long ACL recovery, Iraola’s attacking depth is being tested to its limit.
2. The City financial verdict: A storm cloud over Sunday
While Iraola will attempt to keep the focus strictly on football, the elephant in the room on Friday will be Manchester City’s off-field turmoil. Sunday’s fixture marks City’s first match since an independent commission found them guilty of serious, systematic breaches of the Premier League's financial rules spanning nine seasons (2009/10 to 2017/18).
City were found guilty of using "sham" commercial agreements to artificially inflate revenues, misstating financial accounts, breaching spend limits, and failing to cooperate with regulators. While City have appealed the decision, the immediate aftermath has sent shockwaves through English football.
For Liverpool fans, the verdict hits extremely close to home. The Reds finished runners-up to City in 2013/14 and lost the 2015/16 League Cup final to them during the core window of the breaches.
It has emerged that Liverpool alongside Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham were contacted in advance of the ruling on September 25, requiring executives to sign non-disclosure agreements. All four clubs served legal notices reserving the right to seek compensation if City were found guilty, with potential payouts estimated between £100 million and £200 million per club.
Should City face points deductions, titles being stripped, or even league expulsion, the record books could look very different potentially handing Liverpool the 2013/14 Premier League title retroactively.
Journalists in the press room will undoubtedly press Iraola for his stance on financial fair play and whether the ongoing saga casts a shadow over Sunday’s fixture.
Expect Iraola to handle the topic with diplomatic caution, focusing on the pitch rather than the courtroom, but the tension between the two clubs has never been higher.
3. Virgil van Dijk: Protecting the captain and managing his contract
Beyond injuries and legal battles, Iraola is also expected to address comments made by club captain Virgil van Dijk. The 35-year-old recently achieved his 100th cap for the Netherlands, playing every single minute across four international games.
While Van Dijk’s longevity and performance levels remain world-class, his recent interview with Sky Sports struck an emotional chord with supporters when asked about his emotional side:
Interviewer: “I wouldn’t have you down as an emotional guy.”
Virgil van Dijk: “Haha, you’re going to see it though in the future eventually when I have to walk out of the club and it will be a very emotional day. It’s been an incredible journey.”
Hearing the skipper openly discuss his eventual exit is a stark reminder that time waits for no one. Van Dijk signed a contract extension in April 2025 keeping him committed to Anfield until June 2027. That means the captain is tied to the club for this season and next. However, as he reaches the latter stages of that deal, talk around his long-term succession plan will only grow louder.
Van Dijk played 55 games in all competitions last season the highest tally of his career and has been an ever-present force since arriving in 2018.
What it all means for Liverpool
Make no mistake: Sunday is a massive benchmark for Andoni Iraola's reign. Taking on City directly after an international break is tough enough, but doing so while juggling crucial injuries and amid a fiery off-pitch narrative adds immense pressure.
If Isak, Gakpo, or Jacquet fail to pass late fitness tests, turning to dynamic options like Barcola and Koumas could give Liverpool an unpredictable edge. As Liverpool have shown in their unbeaten opening stretch, this squad possesses a grit and adaptability that fans have quickly taken to.
How to Watch: Andoni Iraola’s Pre-Manchester City Press Conference
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola will address the media live from the AXA Training Centre to preview Sunday's blockbuster Premier League showdown against Manchester City at Anfield.
- Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
- Start Time: 1:30 PM BSTLiverpool FC
- Where to Watch / Stream: Live stream available via LFCTV GO and official Liverpool FC digital channels (YouTube, Facebook, and LiverpoolFC.com).
You can watch Iraola’s pre-match press conference live from the AXA Training Centre at 1:30pm BST on Friday.
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