Man City could be without 6 players for Liverpool game as Pep Guardiola issues update

The Manchester City head coach revealed in Friday's press conference that he has one injury doubt, but another is available again, ahead of the Premier League trip to Anfield

Manchester City injury latest ahead of Liverpool fixture

Manchester City could be without six players for Sunday’s Premier League encounter against Liverpool.

City travels to Anfield after securing its place in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, and with Liverpool having a free midweek before the Premier League clash, the Reds should at least approach the game feeling fresher.

Despite Arne Slot’s claims that Liverpool will struggle to deal with more injuries before the season’s conclusion, it is actually City who heads into Sunday’s meeting with more injury concerns. Bernardo Silva added his name to that list this week when he sustained a thigh injury, which ruled him out of the victory over Newcastle United.

Speaking on Friday, Pep Guardiola revealed a decision will be made on his availability before Sunday’s game.

Should the City captain miss out, it would be a significant blow. Silva has played in every Premier League match this season and is highly experienced in these high-stakes Anfield encounters.

As is Ruben Dias. The center-back has missed the last nine games through injury but returned to the squad in midweek and Guardiola said he is ready to play on Sunday, if required.

“He’s back and we will see if he plays minutes. It's good news for us.”

Guardiola has several injury concerns to contend with ahead of this weekend's game(Image: Getty Images)

There was further encouragement at center-back, with Guardiola confirming John Stones, who last played for City at the start of December, is back in training.

He won’t be available this weekend, however, while City also remains without Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku and Savinho.

Rayan Cherki, who was linked with a summer move to Liverpool, was a doubt earlier this week but featured against Newcastle on Wednesday.

Guardiola is looking for his first win at Anfield with fans in attendance during his City premiership(Image: Getty Images)

Gianluigi Donnarumma and Erling Haaland are expected to return to the line-up after dropping to the bench for the Carabao Cup semi-final.

As for Liverpool, it remains without former City youth-team star Jeremie Frimpong, who has not yet returned to training following the groin injury he sustained in last week’s win over Qarabag.

Joe Gomez could be an option as he continues his recovery from a hip problem, but Slot said the defender is unlikely to fit in time to start this weekend. That will probably result in Dominik Szoboszlai continuing at right-back.

The Reds also remain without long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak.