Manchester City will be seeking a rare win at Anfield this weekend as they look to beat Liverpool to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal
Man City boss Pep Guardiola looks on
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has several key players missing ahead of Sunday's game against Liverpool (Image: 2026 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
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Manchester City and Liverpool could have up to 11 players missing combined for Sunday's clash at Anfield. Pep Guardiola's side face a huge test of their Premier League title credentials as they look to claim a crucial victory in their pursuit of league leaders Arsenal.
The Blues are currently six points off the Gunners, but that gap could grow ahead of Sunday with Mikel Arteta's men in action on Saturday against Sunderland. City, therefore, know that they can afford very few slip-ups as they look to claim just a second-ever win at Anfield under Guardiola.
And both sides have several major injury concerns to deal with. Ruben Dias has not played since early January after suffering a hamstring injury in the draw against Chelsea. He travelled down to London with his teammates last week and was back in the squad on Wednesday.
John Stones has been unavailable since early December, but his return is expected to be a slow burner. Savinho, meanwhile, picked up a thigh injury in the goalless draw with Sunderland last month, but could return to action later this month.
Jeremy Doku was forced off with a calf injury in the first half of the Blues' Champions League tie with Galatasaray at the end of January. Elsewhere, Josko Gvardiol is recovering from a broken leg he sustained in the draw against Chelsea at the start of the year.
Mateo Kovacic has been out with an ankle injury since November and is not expected to return to action any time soon.
Mateo Kovacic controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League match between Villarreal CF and Manchester City
Mateo Kovacic has suffered with injury troubles for Man City(Image: (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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For Liverpool, Joe Gomez is not yet back in action following a groin injury, but he is in contention to return this weekend. Slot has confirmed his condition will not allow Gomez to start, but he could yet provide a helping hand.
The Dutchman also noted that Jeremie Frimpong would be out for a few weeks after suffering a thigh injury.
The prognosis was deemed better than expected, but the Dutch international remains out of action.
Alexander Isak was in the stands to watch Liverpool's win over Newcastle, but is still some way short of a return following his broken leg. The forward remains out for several months as he recovers from surgery on an ankle injury.
Teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni is not expected back until next season after suffering a campaign-ending ACL injury on debut and undergoing surgery in September.
Finally, Conor Bradley is not expected to play again for Liverpool this season after suffering a knee injury in the draw with Arsenal earlier this month, and undergoing surgery.