The Manchester City squad has some injury niggles but the gameplan won’t change Pep Guardiola told the media pre-game. The international break saw City pick up fresh injury concerns. Ederson, Nathan Ake, Erling Haaland, Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic all picked up injuries before or during the international break.
Pep Guardiola was asked about the fitness of his squad during his pre-game press conference. He explained that the squad had some niggles but won’t change their gameplan. He told the media: “We have a few problems, The same as many clubs. We will see in the training session and we will see tomorrow. At 6 pm I will know for sure which players I will have tomorrow. Always it’s plan A.”
Guardiola also explained that last season’s success was built off the back of the midfield having played together for so long. This season only Rodri has been available for the majority of games. John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne have both been injured. While Ilkay Gundogan departed the club in the summer. Pep Guardiola explained: “Last season we played the important part of the season with Rodri, John (Stones), Gundo and Kevin (De Bruyne). This season we just have one player. The midfield has changed a little bit and players need to adjust something. These four, they can do it blindly. They know exactly what we need to do and be there.”
Despite the turnover and injuries in midfield Manchester City sits top of the Premier League and has qualified for the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.
All eyes will be on Pep Guardiola’s team announcement before kick-off to see what players have recovered from their injuries in time to face Liverpool. Erling Haaland and Nathan Ake trained this week and look set to feature against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
