The Manchester City head coach spoke to the media ahead on Friday ahead of this weekend's trip to Liverpool and gave a fitness update on three experienced players
12:41, 06 Feb 2026Updated 13:07, 06 Feb 2026
Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders and Ruben Dias
Pep Guadriola gave a fitness update on Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva ahead of this weekend's trip to Liverpool
Pep Guardiola has confirmed Ruben Dias will available to face Liverpool this weekend, but is still unsure whether Bernardo Silva will be fit for the trip to Anfield.
The Portuguese pair have been injury doubts this week ahead of the game, with Dias last playing on January 4 and missing the last nine games as a result. However, Dias returned to the squad for the midweek Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United and was an unused substitute.
Asked if he could start on Sunday, Guardiola replied: "He’s back and we will see if he plays minutes. But it's good news for us."
As for Silva, the City captain has played every single Premier League game this season, but sat out the Newcastle win due to a knock and remains a doubt to face Liverpool.
"I don’t know yet. Tomorrow training," Guardiola said when asked if the midfielder will be back in time for the Anfield clash.
Guardiola also confirmed John Stones has returned to training following a long-term injury, although he will not be available this weekend.
"John made a first training with the team. Step by step he is coming back," the ex-Barcelona coach said on Friday. Stones has missed the last 10 league matches with a thigh problem.
Guardiola also hinted that Erling Haaland will return to the line-up on Sunday after dropping to the bench in midweek.
"Erling is the best striker in the world," he replied bluntly, when asked if his no.9 will start against Liverpool.
Guardiola could be heading to Anfield for the final time this weekend as City coach, if reports are to believed. He is yet to win at the ground when fans have been present, and will hope to put that right this weekend.
"It is the toughest opponent," Guardiola said on his time at City. "A difficult place and stadium, especially with the quality of the players and managers. It has been tough.
"I have an idea on my line-up," he added, when asked about the mentality of his players at Anfield. "I am trying to see how they play lately, what we have to do, adjust something.
"But not just Anfield, in all big stages in big games, always you need big personalities. Always I said, it is not about the skills of the players, in the big leagues and top clubs the skills are there.
"I never know one player not good enough to play in the big clubs; it is about how you behave, not play good or bad, but how you are as a player. You do it here, in the big stadiums at home and in the last stages of the competitions. That defines the good players and, as much you have, it defines the good teams.
Despite the Reds' struggles this season, Guardiola is still expecting a tough encounter on Sunday.
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"They [Liverpool] remain an exceptional team. Top-class manager and an exceptional team. The moments are the moments. The seasons are the seasons. I think it has revealed the squad, not for one season, for many years. Always it remains a good team."