“He’s injured…” – Pep Guardiola Confirms One Big Man City Absentee for Liverpool Showdown

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a crucial injury update ahead of his team’s highly anticipated Premier League clash against Liverpool. The fixture, set to take place at the Etihad Stadium, is expected to be a pivotal moment in the title race, but City will have to navigate it without one of their key defensive assets.

John Stones, who suffered an early injury in City’s Champions League encounter against Real Madrid, has been ruled out of Sunday’s match. Guardiola, addressing the media, confirmed the severity of Stones’ injury and hinted that surgery might be required.

“He’s injured, a difficult one,” Guardiola revealed. “In the next hours, days we’ll know if he needs surgery or not.” The absence of Stones adds to City’s defensive woes, with Manuel Akanji also sidelined, leaving Guardiola with limited options at the back.

While Liverpool has its own injury concerns, missing the likes of Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, and Tyler Morton, all eyes remain on another fitness battle—Erling Haaland. The Norwegian forward, who picked up a knee issue in City’s victory over Newcastle, was an unused substitute against Real Madrid, sparking speculation about his availability for the crucial league tie.

Guardiola, however, remained tight-lipped about Haaland’s status. “I don’t know yet,” he said. “Tomorrow we will know it. 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.”

Haaland’s potential absence would be a significant blow for City, given his prolific goal-scoring record. The 24-year-old has already netted 117 goals in less than three full seasons and remains one of the most feared strikers in world football. However, City has shown they can still be lethal without him, with new signing Omar Marmoush stepping up impressively.

Marmoush, who joined City in January after being strongly linked with Liverpool, announced himself in style with a first-half hat-trick against Newcastle last weekend. If Haaland is not fit to start, Guardiola may look to Marmoush to lead the line against the Reds.

On the defensive front, City’s injury concerns could provide an opening for Liverpool’s attacking threats. Mohamed Salah, in particular, will be eager to exploit any gaps in City’s backline. The Egyptian forward has an impressive record against Guardiola’s side, having scored 12 goals in 21 appearances for Liverpool against City.

Liverpool, however, must be wary of City’s tactical adaptability. Even without key players, Guardiola has often found ways to compensate, whether by tweaking formations or deploying unexpected personnel. The Catalan coach has masterminded several tactical shifts in big games, and this weekend could see another strategic adjustment.

Both sides will approach this encounter with immense pressure, given the tight race at the top of the Premier League table. A win for either team could significantly impact the title race, while a defeat could leave them playing catch-up for the remainder of the season.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot will also have his own selection dilemmas, especially in midfield and defense. The absence of Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley means Liverpool’s backline could be vulnerable against City’s attacking firepower. Slot will likely depend on Virgil van Dijk to marshal his defense and keep City’s threats at bay.

Meanwhile, City’s midfield duo of Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne will be instrumental in dictating the pace of the game. De Bruyne, who has been in stellar form, will be expected to provide the creative spark, while Rodri’s presence in front of the defense will be crucial in breaking up Liverpool’s counter-attacks.

As matchday approaches, fans from both camps will be eagerly awaiting the final team sheets to see if Haaland is fit to feature. While Stones is confirmed to miss out, Haaland’s inclusion or exclusion could be a game-changer.

Regardless of the injuries, the stage is set for another epic battle between these two Premier League giants. Both teams have their sights set on the title, and Sunday’s clash could be a defining moment in their respective campaigns.