Injured Man City duo withdraw from international squads & are now doubts to face Liverpool

Manchester City stars Ederson and Mateo Kovacic have both withdrawn from their respective international squads due to injury.

The former was named in Brazil’s roster for upcoming games against Colombia and Argentina but it was confirmed on Monday night that the City stopper suffered an injury in the latter stages of Sunday’s 4-4 draw against Chelsea and therefore won't be involved.

Speaking about the injury, Brazil’s team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said: “After the game, the player got in touch, as did Manchester City's medical department. He suffered a foot injury in the final minutes and was able to continue the match, but the pain became intense. 

“The foot became swollen, difficult to walk. At first, we postponed the presentation to take exams. After the exams, and also due to the short time, the issue of displacement, he would not be available at the first moment. The coaching staff opted for a more ready-made option,” he said. 

Meanwhile, via a social media post on Monday, the Croatian national team confirmed Kovacic has also pulled out of the squad for the upcoming crucial Euro 2024 qualifiers against Latvia and Armenia.

Manager Zlatko Dalic later gave an update and said: "Mateo Kovacic also felt a muscle last night [Sunday], so he will not come today. He is staying in Manchester for a check-up.”

In addition, Nathan Ake has not met up with the Netherlands squad due to an injury that forced him to sit out Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge. It means City have six injury concerns at present, with John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne out for the foreseeable future, while Sergio Gomez has not been named in the last three matchday squads due to a knock, but is expected to return after the international break.

City face Liverpool in their next match, on Saturday 25 November, a game that will pit first against second in the Premier League. The Blues currently have a one-point advantage and have won their last 23 home matches in all competitions.

After the Liverpool clash, City face a tricky run of fixtures that includes RB Leipzig in the Champions League, before Premier League encounters against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.