Liverpool’s visit to the Etihad Stadium this weekend presents Manchester City with an opportunity to quickly recover from the two points they lost to Chelsea in their most recent Premier League drama.
After years of challenging Pep Guardiola’s team, the Merseyside rivals were off the pace last season, but under Jurgen Klopp, they are looking like genuine opponents once more as they have a resurgence campaign.
Guardiola isn’t helped by a long list of injury concerns heading into Saturday noon kickoff, as a Liverpool victory would see the team pass Manchester City in the Premier League standings. Here are the possible absences for either side for the match.
1. Ederson – Man City
DOUBT – Withdrew from international duty with a foot injury and could miss out this weekend.
2. Nathan Ake – Man City
DOUBT – Missed out from internationals after an absence against Chelsea. Could return this weekend but not too much known about the star’s knock
3. John Stones – Man City
OUT – Having only recently returned from a hip injury, Stones is now sidelined with a new muscle worry.
4. Sergio Gomez – Man City
DOUBT – Close to a return from an ankle injury.
5. Mateo Kovacic – Man City
DOUBT – Could need an extra week or two to recover from a muscle injury.
6. Matheus Nunes – Man City
DOUBT – Sent home from Portugal duty with an injury niggle but could still feature against Liverpool.
7. Kevin De Bruyne – Man City
OUT – Still on the road to recovery from a serious hamstring injury.
8. Erling Haaland – Man City
DOUBT – Picked up a foot injury while playing for Norway which is not considered serious, but Liverpool could come too soon.
9. Andy Robertson – Liverpool
OUT – Full-back won’t be back from a shoulder injury until the New Year.
10. Joe Gomez – Liverpool
DOUBT – Missed out against Brentford due to a knock but may have recovered over the break.
11. Ibrahima Konate – Liverpool
DOUBT – Also missed Brentford game with knock but could return against Man City.
12. Ryan Gravenberch – Liverpool
DOUBT – Could return from a minor knee injury provided there have been no more setbacks over the break.
13. Curtis Jones – Liverpool
DOUBT – Has been out with a hamstring injury since the cup meeting with Bournemouth but Jurgen Klopp had hoped for Jones’ return after the break.
14. Stefan Bajcetic – Liverpool
OUT – Long term absentee with a calf injury.
15. Thiago – Liverpool
OUT – Not due back from hip injury until January.