Manchester City could face another major setback ahead of their crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool next Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side has been struggling in recent weeks, enduring a dismal run of five consecutive defeats across all competitions. Their latest setback came in the form of a heavy 4-0 home loss to Tottenham, leaving City trailing Liverpool by eight points in the title race.
City’s troubles have been compounded by injuries to key players, most notably the season-ending ACL injury sustained by Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The midfield maestro’s absence has significantly impacted the team’s performance, and now Guardiola may have to contend with another potential blow, as John Stones is a doubt for the trip to Anfield.
According to a report by the *Liverpool Echo*, Stones could miss the high-stakes encounter after failing to take part in training ahead of City’s midweek Champions League tie against Feyenoord. The England international was substituted at halftime during the defeat to Tottenham, sparking concerns about his fitness and availability for Sunday’s match.
Stones’ potential absence would represent a significant loss for Manchester City. Despite being a defender, he has emerged as a critical player this season, contributing three goals to the team’s tally—an impressive feat given that it exceeds the scoring output of several high-profile attackers, including Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Jeremy Doku. Additionally, Stones’ defensive leadership and threat from set-pieces have made him a vital component of Guardiola’s system.
City’s injury woes do not stop there. Midfielders Oskar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic are also dealing with fitness issues, though there was some positive news with Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku returning to training after missing the defeat against Tottenham. Even so, the potential absence of Stones could leave City further weakened in what could be a defining moment in the title race.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are also grappling with their own injury concerns, meaning both sides may be missing key players for this pivotal encounter. With the stakes as high as ever, both teams will hope to see their squads in the best possible shape ahead of Sunday’s clash.
While Stones’ availability remains uncertain, his possible absence underlines the challenges facing Guardiola as he aims to rally his team during this difficult period. For both sets of fans, the hope is that injuries do not overshadow what promises to be a thrilling and decisive match at Anfield.
