Manchester City arrive at one of the defining fixtures of the Premier League season carrying a lengthy injury list that threatens to tilt Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool firmly in the hosts’ favour.
Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Anfield only days after progressing in the Carabao Cup, while their rivals have enjoyed a clear week on the training ground.
The contrast in preparation has sharpened the focus on the personnel problems facing the Cityzens.
City’s midweek success came at a cost, adding further strain to a squad already stretched across multiple competitions.
Liverpool, by comparison, were able to rest and recover, and although Arne Slot has warned that his own team cannot afford many more setbacks before the campaign reaches its climax, the balance of fitness concerns appears to lie heavily with the visitors.
City counting the cost ahead of Anfield test
The latest name to join Guardiola’s casualty list is Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese midfielder suffered a thigh injury that kept him out of the win over Newcastle United and has left his involvement against Liverpool in serious doubt.
Speaking on Friday, Pep Guardiola revealed a decision will be made on his availability before Sunday’s game. Until that assessment is completed, City can only hope that one of their most reliable performers will recover in time.
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.
His ability to control tempo and retain possession under pressure has often been crucial when City face Liverpool’s intense pressing game. Losing that composure in midfield would force Guardiola to rethink his approach.
Defensive concerns are also mounting. John Stones, who only returned to training this midweek after many weeks of injury, will likely miss a trip to Anfield.
The England international will definitely need more time to regain match fitness, leaving City short of options at the back.
The problems do not end there. Pep Guardiola’s side also remains without Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku and Savinho.
Each absence removes a different element from City’s game: Gvardiol’s strength in defence, Kovacic’s calm distribution, Doku’s explosive pace and Savinho’s creativity on the flanks.
Collectively, the missing group represents a sizeable portion of the manager’s preferred starting eleven.
Liverpool not untouched by injuries
While the spotlight has focused on City’s difficulties, Liverpool have their own concerns to manage.
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.
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His absence deprives Slot of a versatile option who understands the mentality of the opposition.
Joe Gomez who could be a replacement is still recovering from a hip problem and Slot confirmed that the defender is unlikely to fit in time to start this weekend.
Gomez’s experience would have been valuable against City’s fluid attack, and without him Liverpool may need to reshuffle their defensive unit.
The Reds also remain without long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak.
Although the team has adapted impressively to earlier setbacks, the continued absence of key figures reduces Slot’s flexibility from the bench. Even so, Liverpool’s situation appears far healthier than that of their opponents.
Anfield has often proved decisive in meetings between these two sides. The atmosphere and energy generated by the home crowd regularly lift Liverpool beyond the ordinary, and facing a weakened City could increase that advantage.
Slot’s men will know that a victory would not only strengthen their league position but also deliver a psychological blow to Pep Guardiola’s men.
