Man City Suffer Fresh Injury Nightmare Blow Ahead of Premier League Clash with Liverpool
John Stones is a doubt for Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.
John Stones’ availability for Manchester City’s crucial Premier League match against Liverpool this weekend is in doubt after the defender missed training on Monday.
The England international was substituted at half-time during City’s 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night and is now a fitness concern for upcoming fixtures against Feyenoord and Liverpool.
The defender’s absence was notable as City conducted training at the City Football Academy on Monday in preparation for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Feyenoord.
Stones was among several players missing from the session, raising further concerns about his availability for future matches.
Despite this setback, there was positive news for Pep Guardiola. Ruben Dias and Jeremey Doku returned to team training after missing Saturday’s loss, providing a timely boost for City.
The squad is set to travel to Anfield aiming to reduce the eight-point gap between themselves and Liverpool, who secured a dramatic comeback victory over Southampton at the weekend.
However, City will be without Rodri, Oscar Bobb, and Mateo Kovacic for the top-of-the-table showdown. These absences add to the challenges Guardiola’s side faces as they look to end a disappointing run of five consecutive defeats across all competitions.
During his press conference on Monday, Guardiola admitted the impact injuries have had on the team’s recent performances, underscoring the difficulties his squad has encountered in maintaining consistency.
“They are still not ready because they were injured. Our main player for transitions, Rodri is not there,” said the Manchester City boss. “We cannot survive because with four central defenders I put Manu or John there, with Ruben, Nathan and Josko behind. We would be strong but we don’t have it.
“I have to play with Gundo, who is an attacking midfielder and our best guy for arriving into the box but I have to play him as a holding midfielder because the other holding midfielder – [Mateo] Kova[cic] is injured. And it has to be alongside Rico to give us a lot of passes and we have to adapt.
“It’s not because they are soft or they don’t want it or they are lazy. We had 26 shots on target and clear ones in front of the keeper – Vicario was exceptional.
“What we have to do is insist. 26 [shots] is not enough? Create more, and try to concede fewer. One day we’re going to win a game and our mind will be clear. I hope Tuesday, if not Sunday. The desire is there and we are going to try.”
Liverpool will be without Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, and summer signing Federico Chiesa when they host the reigning champions.
However, there is a chance that Trent Alexander-Arnold could return to action after missing Sunday’s match against Southampton due to a muscle injury sustained during the game against Aston Villa prior to the international break.
In other news, Liverpool Handed Surprise Alisson Becker Succession Plan Option After Sh0çk £70m Transfer Claim
