Ruben Dias sustains training ground fitness injury, confirm Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Pep Lijnders has confirmed the late training ground fitness problem sustained by Ruben Dias that led to his absence against Liverpool on Saturday.

The FA Cup quarter-final tie saw Erling Haaland returned to clinical form with a ruthless hat-trick as City dismantled Liverpool 4-0, securing a record-extending eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final appearance.

Pep Guardiola witnessed his side build on their recent Carabao Cup triumph with a dominant display that left Arne Slot’s men looking toothless, with the breakthrough coming after 38 minutes when Haaland converted a penalty following Virgil van Dijk’s foul on Nico O’Reilly.

The Norwegian would then double the lead on the stroke of half-time by heading home a precise Antoine Semenyo cross, with the Ghanaian then clipping in a delightful third shortly after the interval before Haaland completed his 28th career treble.

The commanding victory over the club’s long-term trophy rivals kept Manchester City’s ambitions of a domestic cup double firmly on track as they now prepare for a high-stakes return to Wembley later this month against Southampton in the semi-finals.

Lijnders provides Ruben Dias and John Stones injury update

But speaking after the contest, assistant coach Pep Lijnders revealed the extent of Ruben Dias and John Stones’ fitness and injury problems, with both centre-backs absent from the matchday squad against Liverpool.

“Ruben [Dias] got a knock [on Friday] in the last few minutes of training, so we are assessing it. I think he has a scan [on Saturday], so we have to see,” revealed Lijnders on the Portugal international.

The assistant tactician – standing in for Pep Guardiola against Liverpool due to the Catalan’s touchline ban – then continued, “And John [Stones], to be honest, I think will not be long term, but was not available.”

Chelsea trip precedes massive Arsenal title showdown

Manchester City’s squad have been granted a period of two days off following their impressive win over Liverpool, and are expected to return to work on Tuesday ahead of their all-important Premier League meeting at Stamford Bridge.

City take on Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea squad knowing that there is simply no room for further error in the English top-flight, as they trail Arsenal by nine points with a game in hand heading into the final run-in.

Another empty midweek will then follow for Pep Guardiola’s side, before they meet Mikel Arteta’s Gunners at the Etihad Stadium for a hugely anticipated top of the table clash in the North-West.