Both Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s managerial skills will be tested on Saturday as they attempt to piece together their injury-hit squads for Liverpool’s visit to Manchester City.
The meeting has often possessed an added edge in the modern Premier League era due to both clubs fighting to the very last minute for titles on more than one occasion – something that was rediscovered when results in the last action before the international break ensured the Reds would be heading to face the league leaders in second place. Though the top-of-the-table clash will definitely have some stars of both squads miss out due to injury troubles, and may come too soon for others fighting to be fit.
Liverpool What we know: The centre back has not featured for the Reds since the 1-1 draw against Luton at the start of November. He was rested in Toulouse, then was missing for the win against Brentford before the break due to his second hamstring problem in as many months. This has caused him to miss France’s World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar and Greece this week, though last Monday national team manager Didier Deschamps claimed that his absence was only a precaution.
“He had tests, but it’s not serious. He needs a bit of time to not take any risks,” the coach told the French media. “It’s an area where he already has an injury. It wasn’t in his interest or mine (to call him up). In the best case scenario, he could only have been available for training on Friday [November 17] or Saturday [November 18].”
If Konate has indeed resumed training over the weekend as Deschamps hinted he might, there is a possibility he makes the cut for Saturday lunchtime. Possible return date: November 25 vs Manchester City
Curtis Jones What we know: The Euro Under-21 winner has been a miss in this Liverpool team since he was removed from the action in the 61st minute of the Carabao Cup round-of-16 progression against Bournemouth on November 1. That means Jones has not been involved in the last three matches in all competitions, though with his problem recently branded ‘low-grade’ there is optimism he will return for the away trip on Saturday.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Manchester City
Ryan Gravenberch What we know: The 21-year-old’s bright start to his Liverpool career was hampered by a knee injury, just when he’d managed to nail down a starting spot alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai too.
That’s the cruel game of football sometimes – and was made even more so with the suggestion he would have been in line for a call-up from the Netherlands this month for the first time since a falling out with bosses.
But similarly to his midfield partner Jones, Gravenberch’s woes are tipped to end as he will recover in time for Man City and end the run of games missed at three. Possible return date: November 25 vs Manchester City
Conor Bradley What we know: 20-year-old Bradley was dealt the bitter blow of a stress fracture in his back only two matches into the club’s pre-season preparations during the summer. This has resulted in his absence for the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign to date, though was spotted with the rest of his team-mates in open training ahead of the 3-2 Europa League loss against Toulouse this month.
A match of this calibre may be too soon for the young Northern Irishman, so perhaps LASK at Anfield – the match directly after City – would be a more realistic target.
Possible return date: November 30 vs LASK Joe Gomez What we know: Gomez was also an absentee from the Reds’ victory against Brentford, and a surprise one at that.
In the past the Englishman has been hit by horrific, long-term problems though this season has looked back to his old self, albeit not in his preferred position in central defence and mostly as a left back. Klopp said prior to the club’s last match that the issue’s severity would require assessment, with no news arriving since.
Possible return date: TBC
Stefan Bajcetic What we know: The second Spanish maestro that can’t seem to catch a break at this club, Bajcetic has also been out of action for long spells since before the end of the 2022/23 season.
He has only featured twice as a right back this campaign in September, then suffered a setback that has kept him out and will keep him out for the next match unfortunately.
The 19-year-old recently opened up about these struggles so early in his career. Possible return date: TBC
Thiago Alcantara What we know: Thiago has not started a match for Liverpool since February 4, 2023, and has not played as a substitute since April 26, 2023, due to undergoing a hip surgery and suffering setbacks since. He will 100 percent not be involved on Saturday as Klopp confirmed at the start of the month that the New Year would be the realistic target for the Spaniard.
Possible return date: January 2024
Andy Robertson What we know: Robertson has been out of action since dislocating his shoulder during October’s international break – another problem for a Reds player that required surgery.
He’s missed seven club matches since and that number will increase dramatically with Liverpool’s intense festive schedule. The Scotsman will not be involved against Man City, and likely won’t be around before the New Year too.
He remains in high spirits though, recently telling Viaplay: “I’m getting there, slowly and surely. Surgery was a success which was the main thing, no complications from it or anything like that. “It’s so far so good, three weeks since my surgery now so everything is progressing well, I have just got to take it bit by bit and week by week. Everything has went well up to this point and hopefully that continues. Hopefully, before we know it I’ll be back on the grass.”
Possible return date: January 2024
Manchester City What we know: The Premier League record breaker was in visible pain after picking up a knock to his ankle during Norway’s recent match the Faroe Islands. As a result he missed their following meeting with Scotland, and his country failed to qualify for the Euro 2024 finals.
Haaland’s national team boss Stale Solbakken suggested on Saturday that his absence from the second match was only a precaution, stating: “It’s his movement in the foot that is his problem but it’s not a serious injury. Had [the game vs Scotland] been a final, I don’t know.”
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool Rodri What we know: The Spanish national team management decided Rodri would not be involved in their first match of the break after complaining of discomfort.
However, in a boost to Guardiola’s side for Saturday, the influential midfielder was able to complete 86 minutes unhindered on Sunday with no fresh problems to speak of. Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool
Ederson What we know: In the second half of City’s last Premier League match away at Chelsea, their Brazilian goalkeeper was another in visible discomfort out on the field. This was an impact injury on his foot – one that resulted in his withdrawal from Brazil’s plans this international break. According to the Manchester Evening News, Guardiola will have no need to call upon second choice Stefan Ortega as Ederson will be okay.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool
Sergio Gomez What we know: City’s Gomez has only played one minute of football throughout October and November, and was seen leaving the Etihad Stadium on November 4 following his club’s 6-1 against Bournemouth – a match he did not feature in – on crutches.
Afterwards his problem was put down to a minor sprain and he would be returning to training during the international break.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool John Stones What we know: The England international was kept out of 12 matches at the start of the season, came back for a month or so then suffered a reoccurrence of the same problem.
Guardiola has said this time it is “not bad,” though stressed he would not be rushing Stones back into action before absolutely necessary. Possible return date: TBC
Mateo Kovacic What we know: The Croatian came on for the second half for City against former club Chelsea a week-and-a-half ago, though pulled a muscle during the clash. Kovacic has not featured during the international break with no new updates since. Possible return date: TBC
Matheus Nunes What we know: The Portugeuse FA sent out a statement that read: “The midfielder is unfit for Portugal’s two games. Matheus Nunes was declared clinically unfit for games against Liechtenstein and Iceland after undergoing tests.” As a result the former Liverpool-linked man was sent back to Manchester, who he has played for with no issues at all since his summer arrival.
Possible return date: TBC
Nathan Ake What we know: The Dutchman picked up a problem in training in the few days between City’s Champions League match against Young Boys and the fixture against Chelsea before the break. It forced him to withdraw from international duty and similarly no news has been put forward.
Possible return date: TBC
Kevin de Bruyne What we know: The one guarantee Man City can give Jurgen Klopp and his men is that they will not have to deal with talisman de Bruyne this weekend.
The midfielder has been out since damaging his hamstring on the opening day of the season and is not expected to return before the New Year as Guardiola will not risk the 32-year-old.
Possible return date: January 2024
Ibrahima Konate
Injury: Hamstring
Injury: Hamstring
Injury: Knee
Injury: Stress fracture
Injury: Unknown
Injury: Adductor
Injury: Hip
Injury: Shoulder
Erling Haaland
Injury: Ankle
Injury: Unknown
Injury: Foot
Injury: Ankle
Injury: Hip
Injury: Muscular
Injury: Fitness
Injury: Unknown
Injury: Hamstring
