An extensive summary of the injuries that Manchester City and Liverpool are dealing with before their Premier League match on Saturday
The managerial prowess of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp will be put to the test on Saturday when they try to assemble their injured squads for Liverpool’s trip to Manchester City.
Due to both teams’ history of fighting to the very last minute for championships, the meeting has always had an advantage in the modern Premier League era. This was reinforced when the Reds’ performance in the final game before the international break guaranteed they would play the league leaders in second place.
However, several of the stars from both teams will undoubtedly miss the top-of-the-table match owing to injury issues, and it might come too soon for other contenders to recover.
Liverpool
Ibrahima Konate
Injury: Hamstring
What we know: Since the 1-1 draw with Luton at the beginning of November, the centre defender has not appeared for the Reds. After taking a break in Toulouse, he missed the victory over Brentford prior to the halftime break because of his second hamstring issue in as many months.
He will miss France’s World Cup qualifying matches against Gibraltar and Greece this week as a result of this, yet national team boss Didier Deschamps stated on Monday that his absence was only preventative.
His testing came back normal, though. The coach said to the French media that “he needs some time to not take any risks.” He already has an injury in that area. Neither I nor he had any interest in getting in touch with him. He could have only been available for training on Friday, November 17, or Saturday, November 18, in the best case situation.
But like his midfield partner Jones, Gravenberch is expected to recover in time for Man City, bringing his run of missing games to an end at three.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Manchester City
Conor Bradley
Injury: Stress fracture
What we know: Just two games into the team’s summer preseason practises, 20-year-old Bradley suffered the devastating blow of a stress fracture in his back.
Due to this, he has missed the entire 2023–24 season. However, before to this month’s 3-2 Europa League loss against Toulouse, he was sighted in open training with the rest of his teammates.
Maybe LASK at Anfield, the game right after City, would be a more reasonable goal instead of a match of this level for the young Northern Irishman.
Possible return date: November 30 vs LASK
Joe Gomez
Injury: Unknown
What we know: Gomez was unexpectedly missing from the Reds’ triumph over Brentford as well.
The Englishman had terrible, chronic issues in the past, but this season he has returned to his former self, albeit largely as a left back and not in his favoured position in central defence.
Before the team’s most recent game, Klopp stated that the seriousness of the problem will need to be evaluated. Since then, there has been no update.
Date of potential return: TBC
Stefan Bajcetic
Injury: Adductor
What we know: Bajcetic, the second Spanish maestro who appears to be having trouble at this club, has also missed extended periods of time due to injury since before the 2022–2023 season concluded.
He only had two appearances as a right back so far this season in September before suffering an injury that has prevented him from playing and will, regrettably, prevent him from playing in the upcoming game.
The 19-year-old recently talked about the difficulties he had starting his career so young.
Possible return date: TBC
Thiago Alcantara
Injury: Hip
What we know: Thiago has not appeared as a substitute for Liverpool since April 26, 2023, and has not started a game for the club since February 4, 2023. This is because he underwent hip surgery and has since experienced setbacks.
He will definitely not play on Saturday since Klopp stated at the beginning of the month that the Spaniard’s realistic goal would be the New Year.
Andy Robertson
Injury: Shoulder
What we know: Robertson missed the October international break due to a dislocated shoulder, which is another issue for a Reds player that needed surgery.
Since then, he has missed seven club games; given Liverpool’s hectic holiday schedule, that figure will rise significantly. The Scottish player is unlikely to play before the New Year and will not be participating against Man City.
Despite this, he is still very positive, saying to Viaplay recently: “I’m getting there, slowly and surely.” The most important thing was that the surgery went well and there were no aftereffects.
“After three weeks of surgery, everything is going great. I just need to take things little by little, week by week. So far, so good. So far, everything has gone smoothly, and perhaps this will continue. Hopefully, I’ll be back on the grass in no time.”
Potential date of return: January 2024
2024
Manchester City
Erling Haaland
Injury: Ankle
What we know: During Norway’s most recent game against the Faroe Islands, the Premier League record setter took a knock to his ankle. The injury was evident. He was unable to attend their next match against Scotland as a result, and his nation was unable to go to the Euro 2024 finals.
Stale Solbakken, the manager of Haaland’s national team, hinted on Saturday that the player’s absence from the second game was merely a precaution, saying, “It’s not a serious injury; it’s his movement in the foot that is his problem.” If the match against Scotland had gone to overtime, I’m not sure.”
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool
Rodri
Injury: Unknown
What we know: Rodri complained of discomfort, so the management of the Spanish national team decided he would not play in their first game of the break.
But in encouraging news for Guardiola’s team on Saturday, the key midfield player was able to play 86 minutes on Sunday without any new issues.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool
Ederson
Injury: Foot
What we know: City’s Brazilian goalkeeper was clearly uncomfortable throughout the second half of their most recent away Premier League game against Chelsea.
He had to withdraw from Brazil’s plans for this international break due to an impact injury to his foot. The Manchester Evening News claims that Guardiola won’t need to use Stefan Ortega, his backup choice, because Ederson will be fine.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool
Sergio Gomez
Injury: Ankle
What we know: The England international missed the first twelve games of the season due to injury, but returned for about a month before the same issue reappeared.
Guardiola indicated that the current situation is “not bad,” but he made it clear that he would not force Stones to play again before it was absolutely necessary.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool
John Stones
Injury: Hip
What we know: The England international missed the first twelve games of the season due to injury, but returned for about a month before the same issue reappeared.
Guardiola indicated that the current situation is “not bad,” but he made it clear that he would not force Stones to play again before it was absolutely necessary.
Possible return date: TBC
Mateo Kovacic
Injury: Muscular
What we know: A week and a half ago, the Croatian substituted in for Chelsea during the second half of City’s match, despite having strained a muscle. Since the international break, Kovacic has not been mentioned in any fresh updates.
Possible return date: TBC
Matheus Nunes
Injury: Fitness
What we know: “The midfielder is unfit for Portugal’s two games,” the Portuguese Football Association stated in a statement. After testing, Matheus Nunes was deemed clinically unfit for the matches against Iceland and Liechtenstein.”
The former player who was linked to Liverpool was consequently transferred back to Manchester, where he has played without any problems since joining in the summer.
Possible return date: TBC
Nathan Ake
Injury: Unknown
What we know: During the few days between City’s Champions League encounter against Young Boys and their pre-intermission match versus Chelsea, the Dutchman developed an issue during training. He was compelled to leave his foreign assignment as a result, and no fresh information has been released.
Possible return date: TBC
Kevin de Bruyne
Injury: Hamstring
What is certain is that Man City will spare Jurgen Klopp’s team from facing the talisman, Kevin de Bruyne, this coming weekend.
Since hurting his hamstring on the first day of the season, the midfield player has been out. Guardiola is unlikely to risk the 32-year-old, therefore a comeback before the New Year is anticipated.
Possible return date: January 2024
