Liverpool and Manchester City currently have vastly distinct injury lists. But Pep Guardiola may be missing a player who may have a significant impact.
If you look at the injury lists for Liverpool against Manchester City, only one side has a valid reason to complain. Erik ten Hag has argued that Manchester United’s issues this season are due to injury, but the Dutchman should consider Jürgen Klopp‘s problems.
It is true that both Liverpool and Manchester United have had awful luck in that regard, but only one of the teams has been able to deal with it. And ahead of Manchester City, Klopp has at least got Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai are now available again.
Nonetheless, up to ten Liverpool players might sit out the game. That is a figure that has appeared repeatedly in the lead-up to recent matches. Salah and Szoboszlai have returned, but it is unclear whether Ibrahima Konaté, who has recently suffered an injury scare, will be able to play.
Liverpool‘s injury list includes Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcântara, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Stefan Bajčetić, Joël Matip, Ben Doak, and perhaps Konaté. That is clearly extensive. If those players had been fit, at least three of them would have started against Manchester City, and many more would have played.
Pep Guardiola will be without Matheus Nunes while he is concerned about both Jérémy Doku and Jack Grealish. And that’s it.
“My process is which players I’ll have — if Doku or Jack are ready, we’ll know tomorrow,” the Manchester City manager said at his Friday press conference. “We can adjust something if they [are able to train and then play].”
While Manchester City‘s injury list is modest, and Nunes was unlikely to start at Anfield anyway, Grealish‘s possible absence might be critical. Even if the former Aston Villa player does not score or assist enough to justify his $129 million (£100 million/€117 million) price tag, he can have a massive influence on matches like these.
Grealish’s ability to draw fouls and move his team upfield can be extremely beneficial in reducing pressure, and Manchester City may use it away from a heated Anfield. Guardiola will understand that he cannot repeat a mistake from the past in order to agitate and irritate the home crowd.
When the environment is tense, the greatest way to disrupt it — and prevent Liverpool from getting into a flow of attacks, gaining momentum, and pulling on the home crowd — is to break up the play. Keeping possession, winning free kicks, and simply holding onto the ball for a while will slow the tide.
If Grealish does not play, Liverpool may suffer greatly. While Doku’s fitness isn’t established yet, he lacks Grealish’s skill set. Others, such as Phil Foden, can do it—and he is in excellent form—but Grealish is the maestro.
Of course, the players Liverpool will be without are significantly more influential overall. Klopp will be without numerous starters, resulting in a depleted bench. However, if Grealish is ruled out, Manchester City will suffer a significant setback.
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