Andoni Iraola confirms incredible player will replace Alexander Isak

Andoni Iraola has all but confirmed who will be replacing Alexander Isak.

Liverpool are about to embark on the most important game of the season. It's not far fetched to say that so much rides on Sunday's game against Manchester City.

Iraola's side has started the campaign okay. They haven't blown anyone out of the water yet. Liverpool fans are cautiously optimistic but it's obvious the gaps are still there.

Coming up against an incredibly strong Man City team is going to be a huge test. Especially after a three-week hiatus due to the international break.

And on top of that there's the ongoing 114 charges against City. Charges that will have impacted Liverpool themselves if City's appeal fails.

Sunday's game is more than just a game - it's an opportunity for Liverpool to strike back.

Andoni Iraola's huge striker dilemma and how to solve it

The problem Iraola has heading into the clash is that he is without his two top-scorers. Cody Gakpo is expected to miss several weeks due to injury. Meanwhile, Alexander Isak is not going to be available for this game either.

It means that with Hugo Ekitike's injury, Iraola now cannot call upon any of his striker options.

He has to therefore come up with a creative solution. He's still got a few exciting attackers who can play in central roles.

It's why Victor Munoz was signed. Bradley Barcola has also played there in the past. Federico Chiesa could be an option as well since he is now back fit.

The loss of Isak will be enormous. There's no denying that. However, Liverpool have a plan to solve it. Iraola might have also just pretty much confirmed it.

Iraola all but confirms Lewis Koumas will replace Isak against Man City

So, the big question about who will replace Isak might have an easy answer. Given the fact that Liverpool only have three wingers available in Ngumoha, Munoz and Barcola, it's unlikely Iraola will start all three of them against City - especially with a game coming up midweek.

The much likelier solution. Iraola confirmed it himself in his press conference, he only has one no.9.

“Even before we don't have Hugo Ekitike, who I am looking forward to having available. Maybe we will recover Chiesa but hasn't played any minutes. A No.9, we only have Koumas right now, we have some options; wingers who have played up front," Iraola said.

“We don't have a lot of time to train with the group as a whole. It is the same for every team so we cannot use it. I had time to watch and analyse but we have to adapt to injuries. Alex and then Cody and now this is City then Champions League, so the run of games, we have to get used to these things.”

Given how Koumas plays perfectly in the sense that he presses from the front, and Iraola's answer, he's pretty much confirmed that Liverpool's incredible youngster will be the one to replace Isak.

And it will be well-deserved for Koumas, who got plenty of minutes during the international break.