Manchester City could face yet another setback as they prepare for a critical Premier League clash against Liverpool next Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side is already under pressure following a challenging period, which has seen them lose five consecutive matches across all competitions.
This poor run of form includes a heavy 4-0 defeat to Tottenham at home over the weekend, leaving City trailing Liverpool by eight points in the race for the Premier League title.
Adding to their woes, the long-term absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who is out for the season due to an ACL injury, has significantly weakened the team. Now, City may have to contend with the possibility of being without another vital player for their trip to Anfield: John Stones.
Reports from the Liverpool Echo suggest that Stones’ availability is in doubt after he missed training ahead of City’s Champions League match against Feyenoord. The England international, who was substituted at halftime during the defeat to Tottenham, has raised concerns about his fitness.
Although no official confirmation has been made regarding his status for Sunday’s game, his absence from recent training sessions has sparked speculation.
Stones has been a crucial player for City this season, not only as a key figure in defense but also as a surprising offensive asset.
Despite primarily playing as a center-back, he is City’s joint-second top scorer this season with three goals—outperforming notable attackers like Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Jeremy Doku. Losing Stones would not only weaken City’s defense but also deprive them of a significant threat during set-pieces.
The potential absence of Stones adds to City’s growing injury concerns. The team is already dealing with setbacks to players like Oskar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic, although there is some relief in the return of Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku to training after missing the Spurs match.
However, Manchester City are not the only side dealing with injury issues. Liverpool, too, are managing the unavailability of key players, which could affect their performance in this much-anticipated fixture.
While the possible loss of Stones is a blow for City, fans on both sides will hope to see a competitive match rather than one marred by missing stars.
With both teams vying for the title, this showdown at Anfield is shaping up to be a decisive moment in the season. The stakes are higher than ever, and the result could significantly influence the course of the Premier League race.
