Man City v Liverpool injury news - 10 doubts & seven unavailable for top-of-the-table clash

Pep Guardiola must be wondering how many Manchester City players will be available for selection after the international break, with an encounter against Liverpool next week marking the restart of the Premier League calendar.

The clash pits first against second in the top flight, with City a point clear at the summit. If the champions still occupy top spot in a few weeks’ time, their hopes of winning the title will be hugely strengthened. Guardiola’s side face three of the top five in their upcoming fixtures, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa on the horizon.

It makes City's sudden spate of injuries even more alarming, and four players have pulled out of international duty over the break. Nathan Ake picked up a knock before the two-week hiatus, which forced him to miss the 4-4 draw against Chelsea, and also resulted in him failing to meet up with the Dutch squad.

Likewise, Ederson remained in Manchester due to a knock he picked up at Stamford Bridge, while Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes returned early through injury.

The problems kept mounting for City on Thursday when Rodri missed Spain’s win over Cyprus with a reported issue, while Erling Haaland received on-field treatment in Norway’s 2-0 victory against the Faroe Islands. Team doctor Ola Sand confirmed after the game that City’s star striker had suffered a recurrence of a foot injury that forced him to be replaced at half-time in the recent win over Bournemouth.

It means six players have been added to City’s expanding injury list over the break, in addition to John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne, who will definitely not be involved against Liverpool. Sergio Gomez is also a doubt and missed the last three through injury. With seven uncertainties and two ruled out, it means the champions have just 12 confirmed fit outfield players at this stage.

As for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones are back for the trip to the Etihad. The trio were suffering from knocks prior to the break, but should be available next weekend. Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Stefan Bajacetic and Thiago are all longer-term issues and won’t have recovered in time to face City.

Doubts: Ederson, Ake, Gomez, Rodri, Kovacic, Nunes, Haaland (City); Konate, Jones, Gravenberch (Liverpool). Out: Stones, De Bruyne (City); Bradley, Gomez, Robertson, Bajacetic, Thiago (Liverpool).