Pep Guardiola to make late fitness decision on three Man City stars ahead of huge Liverpool clash

Manchester City will assess the fitness of Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes on Saturday with the pair facing a race against time to feature at Liverpool while Jack Grealish is expected to miss out.

City head to Anfield on Sunday afternoon in what looks set to be the biggest game of the season so far. The hosts currently sit top of the Premier League but Pep Guardiola's side could leapfrog them with victory, while a draw would suit fellow challengers Arsenal.

Nunes was forced off during City's 3-1 Champions League win over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday after appearing to break his middle finger, following a nasty fall. Doku and Grealish were both absent in midweek after picking up injuries of their own and Guardiola confirmed all will be assessed at the last minute.

The Blues boss refused to be drawn into giving too much away regarding a return for Nunes and Doku, insisting the pair will return to training on Saturday after the whole squad were off today. On Grealish, he said: "Tomorrow no, Sunday maybe... It's a joke."

An already massive game, both in terms of the recent rivalry and title race, has been given a little extra spice following comments made by Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier this week. The Liverpool right-back appeared to suggest their sole Premier League title meant more than City's due to their financial inferiority.

Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias both hit back at the Liverpool man when presented with his comments, but Guardiola refused to be drawn into the spat and wished Alexander-Arnold well in his recovery from injury.

“I wish him a speedy recovery and come back to the pitch as soon as possible,” Guardiola said when asked of Alexander-Arnold’s comments and the ensuing fallout. “Do you think we're [only] going to fight because Erling [Haaland] and Ruben [Dias] talk, and if not we don't fight? We are there all these years and tomorrow we try to do a good game. I would answer but, why? Honestly. It is what it is.”

Sunday could be the final meeting between Klopp and Guardiola, with the former set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season. City and Liverpool could, of course, meet in the FA Cup and Guardiola, who took a sabbatical himself after leaving Barcelona, is expecting to see his opposite number back in the dugout shortly.

“I spoke with him and I have a feeling he will be back sooner or later,” the City boss added of Klopp. “I respect completely his decision. He loves football. His passion is there. In the Premier League it is the last time but there is the FA Cup. We will see.”