Man City vs Liverpool injury news ahead of Premier League clash as four ruled out and two doubts

Manchester City are preparing to return to action as the international break winds down.

Pep Guardiola’s men have their work cut out in their bid to retain their Premier League title, returning from the break eight points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit they do have a game in hand to play. It’s likely City will need to be near-perfect if they are to come out on top this season, and they face a big test immediately upon their return to action.

City host Liverpool this weekend, and the Reds are desperate to make up ground on the top four amid a disappointing season so far. Ahead of the clash, City are sweating on Erling Haaland, with the player’s father Alf-Inge telling TV2 in Norway: “Manchester City has a partnership with a hospital in Barcelona so he has been there for further checks and treatment.”

“Now he has been here [Marbella] for a couple of days with the physio from the club. Firstly, I’m not a doctor and secondly, I think it’s ‘touch and go’, yes. You can’t just go two weeks without training and then jump right into a fight. There must be a progression there.

“They can gamble on it, but if he doesn’t get proper training with the team, then he won’t play. It is about how he responds to treatment in the next few days. He needs a lot of care and ‘knuckling’. There are many sprints and there is a lot to move.”

Elsewhere, Phil Foden is the only other absentee for the Citizens following an operation to remove his appendix.

As for Liverpool, Luis Diaz is back fit, while Darwin Nunez is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury earlier this month. Cody Gakpo will return for this one, but Thiago Alcantara remains out for now with a hip flexor issue. Youngster Calvin Ramsay is sidelined until pre-season, while Stefan Bajcetic is out for the remainder of the season.