Man City facing potential injury crisis ahead of Liverpool clash | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola faces defensive crisis as Man City head to Liverpool

Manchester City’s trip to Anfield this Sunday carries the sort of weight that defines seasons. With Arsenal six points clear at the top, Pep Guardiola knows that anything other than a victory would leave Man City chasing shadows, while Liverpool under Arne Slot smell the chance to strengthen their for Champions League football. These are the weeks when champions show their nerve, yet City arrive bruised and stretched, particularly at the back, in what has become an increasingly awkward campaign.

Guardiola’s side have already dropped costly points through defensive lapses, and the fixture list now offers little mercy.

Injury concerns shape Man City planning

The injury list has grown long enough to give any manager a headache, and Guardiola did not sugar coat the situation when speaking earlier this week. Asked about Rayan Cherki, he said, “Have a knock, we will see today how he feels,” which neatly summed up the uncertainty surrounding several key names.

On two players who would normally be central to his plans, he added, “Ruben started to train yesterday and Jeremy not yet.” Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku are in very different stages of their recoveries, and neither comes with guarantees of being ready to face Liverpool’s intensity.

John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Savinho also remain sidelined, further limiting Guardiola’s options. Kovacic, following ankle surgery, is not expected back until mid March, removing a useful piece from City’s midfield rotation at a crucial moment.

Gvardiol absence leaves Guardiola short at the back

The most damaging blow, however, has been the loss of Josko Gvardiol. The Croatian fractured his tibia in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea last month, underwent surgery and now faces a long road back. No return date has been set, and the expectation inside the club is that he will be out for the rest of the season. For a player who offers pace, strength and composure in possession, that absence leaves a sizeable hole in Guardiola’s defensive structure.

Without Gvardiol, City are forced to juggle centre backs and full backs in roles that are less than ideal, and against Liverpool’s aggressive pressing and quick transitions, any lack of cohesion can be ruthlessly exposed.