Manchester City have received encouraging news on the fitness front as they prepare for one of the defining fixtures of their Premier League season.
Pep Guardiola has revealed that two influential defenders are back from injury ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool, offering the Sky Blues a timely lift after weeks of disrupted selection.
With the trip to Anfield looming and the title race intensifying, the prospect of welcoming back senior figures has come at an important moment.
Ruben Dias has been absent since the opening day of the year, when he sustained a hamstring problem against Chelsea.
His leadership and defensive authority have been missed, particularly during a period in which City have relied on makeshift partnerships at the back.
Guardiola confirmed that the Portugal international has now completed his rehabilitation and is ready to rejoin the group in a competitive sense.
“He’s back,” the manager said when asked about Dias’ condition following the midweek victory over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.
The centre-half was included among the substitutes at the Etihad Stadium, an indication that his recovery has progressed without setbacks.
Although he did not feature in the 3-1 success, his presence alone was viewed as a positive step.
Guardiola struck a cautious tone about how quickly Dias will be reintegrated. “We’ll see if he plays any minutes, but good news for us.”
There was further optimism surrounding John Stones, who has endured a frustrating campaign of stop-start availability.
The England defender returned to full training on Thursday for the first time in several weeks after battling a recurring thigh issue.
His versatility, allowing him to operate in defence or step into midfield, has long been a valuable weapon for Guardiola, and his gradual return broadens the manager’s options.
City’s problems at centre-back have forced significant movement in the transfer market. Academy graduate Max Alleyne was recalled from a loan spell at Watford to provide emergency cover, while the club moved decisively in January to strengthen the department.
Marc Guehi arrived from Crystal Palace in a major deal, joining Abdukodir Khusanov and the experienced Nathan Ake to bolster numbers that had been stretched alarmingly thin.
While the back line appears to be clearing, doubts remain elsewhere. Club captain Bernardo Silva sat out the Newcastle match with a hamstring complaint and his involvement against Liverpool is not yet certain.
Guardiola explained that the Portuguese playmaker would be checked again before any decision is made.
The manager said Silva would be assessed “tomorrow in training”, leaving supporters to wait for a clearer picture closer to kick-off.
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His potential absence would be keenly felt, particularly in a fixture that demands composure and intelligence in possession.
Bernardo’s work rate and ability to retain the ball under pressure have often been crucial in previous encounters with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
City travel to Merseyside with a clear objective: to reduce the gap to Arsenal at the summit of the table. The difference currently stands at six points, a margin that keeps the Sky Blues within striking distance but leaves little room for further slips.
Guardiola has repeatedly described this phase of the season as decisive, and the clash with Liverpool is viewed inside the club as a pivotal hurdle.
The injury situation has not been limited to defence and midfield. Wingers Jeremy Doku and Savinho continue to work their way back from separate setbacks, depriving City of natural width and pace.
Their absences contributed to the decision to enter the January market, culminating in the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, a player expected to add directness to the attack once integrated.
