Pep Guardiola faces a new injury setback as he prepares for the highly anticipated match between Manchester City and Liverpool. This unexpected development adds to the manager’s ongoing challenges, potentially impacting team performance and strategy in a crucial Premier League clash.
John Stones’ availability for Manchester City’s pivotal Premier League clash against Liverpool this weekend remains uncertain after he missed training on Monday. The England defender was substituted at half-time during City’s 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, raising concerns over his fitness for upcoming games against Feyenoord in the Champions League and the critical Liverpool showdown.
Stones was notably absent as City conducted their training session at the City Football Academy in preparation for Tuesday’s match against Arne Slot’s Feyenoord side. However, there was a glimmer of hope for manager Pep Guardiola, who welcomed Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku back to training after they were sidelined for Saturday’s loss. Despite these positive developments, City will be traveling to Anfield without key players such as Rodri, Oscar Bobb, and Mateo Kovacic, further complicating their quest to close the eight-point gap between themselves and Liverpool, who remain in fine form after staging a comeback win over Southampton.
In his Monday press conference, Guardiola acknowledged the toll injuries have taken on his squad during their five-match losing streak across all competitions. He highlighted the absence of crucial players, particularly Rodri, whom he described as vital for transitional play. Guardiola explained how the lack of depth in key areas has forced him to improvise, often playing midfielders like İlkay Gündoğan in unfamiliar defensive roles due to injuries to Mateo Kovacic and others.
“It’s not because they lack effort or desire,” Guardiola explained. “We created 26 clear chances in the last game, but their goalkeeper, Vicario, was outstanding. We must keep pushing, create even more opportunities, and concede fewer. One win will change everything for us mentally, and we hope that day comes soon—maybe Tuesday, if not Sunday.”
On the other side, Liverpool is also dealing with injury concerns. Key players such as Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, and summer signing Federico Chiesa are sidelined. However, Jürgen Klopp’s team might see the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who missed their recent victory over Southampton due to a muscle strain sustained during the international break.
With both sides managing significant absences, this weekend’s clash promises to be a high-stakes battle that could have a substantial impact on the title race. Despite the challenges, both teams are likely to approach the match with determination, each aiming to seize an advantage in this critical stage of the season.
