“He’s injured…” – Pep Guardiola confirms a key Man City player will miss the crucial clash against Liverpool.
Guardiola Provides Injury Update on Man City Squad Ahead of Liverpool Clash
Pep Guardiola has shared the latest injury news on his Manchester City squad ahead of Sunday’s showdown against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
The Reds will be without Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, and Tyler Morton, while Arne Slot remains uncertain about Cody Gakpo’s availability for the weekend.
Meanwhile, Guardiola is also concerned about the fitness of star striker Erling Haaland, who remained on the bench during City’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid after sustaining a suspected knee injury in last weekend’s win over Newcastle.
When asked about Haaland’s condition, Guardiola remained cautious, keeping Liverpool guessing about the 24-year-old’s status. Speaking in his press conference (via Evening Standard), he said: “I don’t know yet. Tomorrow we will know. Maybe, but I don’t know yet. He will train tomorrow, and we will test. It’s better to have Erling on the pitch, obviously… of course, with Erling, we are stronger.”
While Haaland could still recover in time, one player who is definitely ruled out is John Stones. The defender was forced off early in the Champions League clash against Real Madrid and is now set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Providing an update on Stones, Guardiola said: “He’s injured, a difficult one. In the next hours or days, we’ll know if he needs surgery or not.”
Man City Still a Threat Without Haaland
Haaland’s potential absence would undoubtedly be a significant blow for City, given his remarkable goal-scoring record. However, it doesn’t necessarily make things easier for Liverpool. Omar Marmoush, who recently joined City and was previously linked with the Reds, scored a first-half hat-trick against Newcastle last weekend and could step up if needed.
Regardless of who leads City’s attack, Liverpool must tighten up defensively after conceding five goals in their last three league matches. On the other hand, the visitors may see an opportunity to exploit City’s weakened backline, with both Manuel Akanji and Stones unavailable. Mo Salah, who has netted 12 goals in 21 meetings against Guardiola’s side, will likely relish the challenge.
While Liverpool fans might hope to avoid facing Haaland, this will be the final meeting between the two sides this season. Regardless of the result, both Haaland and Stones will hope for a swift recovery from their injuries.
