Ahead of Manchester City’s Sunday’s massive Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield Pep Guardiola fronted the media for his pre-game press conference. The City manager was expected to provide an update on the status of his injured players. But that wasn’t forthcoming from Guardiola. That was a surprise but it depends on your point of view if that is good news or not.
Pep Guardiola was asked about the status of his squad ahead of Sunday’s fixture. His answer was short and sweet. Guardiola said that he will no more about the status of his squad later today. He replied: “We’ll see today. Today we will see.”
A quick look at Manchester City’s injury list reveals who is definitely out of Sunday’s massive fixture. Rodri and Oscar Bobb are out with long-term injuries. Mateo Kovacic is also out and is likely a few weeks away from returning. Jeremy Doku and John Stones missed Manchester City’s 3-all draw with Feyenoord on Tuesday evening due to injury. The positive news from Tuesday’s match was the return of Ruben Dias to the bench. Although he didn’t feature in Tuesday’s match at the Etihad Dias being on the bench is a sign that he is nearing a return to action.
Injuries have hit Manchester City hard. Especially during their 6-game winless run. But there doesn’t appear to be light at the end of the tunnel. It does appear that players are slowly returning to the fray which will boost the world champions squad.
Pep Guardiola added that all he wants is his injured players back. That way his team can return to what they do best rather than navigate their way through an injury crisis. Guardiola told the media: “What I would ask, not the results, is the players back. That is what I would like. I would just ask the players back to have the team that we create at the beginning of the season to go and do what we are.”
All attention will now shift to Manchester City’s training later today for any updates that emerge surrounding the fitness of a host of City’s players. Pep Guardiola’s update today was vague. Whether or not he is concealing the extent of City’s injury situation or is genuinely unaware remains to be seen.