Pep Guardiola has confirmed he’ll be without three players for Sunday’s Premier League game against Liverpool.
Speaking in Friday’s press conference, the Manchester City manager said John Stones, Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips won’t be available for the trip to Anfield, although none of the trio were expected to be involved. But it does leave Guardiola with something of a selection dilemma in the full-back areas.
Walker would have almost certainly started had he been fit, while Stones has also deputised at right-back this season. It leaves Joao Cancelo and Sergio Gomez as the only fit full-backs in the squad, but Guardiola has been reluctant to start the latter in high-profile matches since his summer signing.
It means the City boss will have to find a solution to his issues in the back four, especially with Liverpool’s attackers netting six of their seven goals in the midweek win over Rangers.
In midfield, things are less complicated, with Phillips’ absence leaving Guardiola with four main midfielders to choose from, as has been the status quo for the majority of the season. In the attacking areas, Julian Alvarez is unlikely to start given his lack of experience at Premier League level, with Guardiola again expected to choose between three of his four regular attacking stars.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager also revealed on Friday that Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland should be available, despite stating in midweek they were all suffering from minor niggles.
October is a hectic month for City with eight fixtures squeezed in, but rotation is unlikely to play a huge role in Guardiola’s selection this weekend. That’s because the Blues have a free midweek due to the postponement of their Premier League clash against Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s men instead playing their rearranged Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven.
With all that in mind, here’s how we think City will line up on Sunday...
1. Ederson
Played every game this season and that record looks unlikely to change at Anfield.
2. Manuel Akanji
Started at right-back last week against Southampton and was praised by Guardiola after the game.
3. Ruben Dias
Came off the bench in midweek and is expected to start in this high-profile fixture.
4. Aymeric Laporte
Has yet to start a Premier League game this season, but the centre-back could be selected from the off on Sunday. Nathan Ake is another option.