Manchester City could face yet another hurdle ahead of their vital clash with Liverpool next Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side has been struggling recently, with a 0-4 loss to Tottenham marking their fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions. This slump has left City trailing Liverpool by eight points in the Premier League title race.
The season-ending ACL injury to Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has already been a significant setback, and with other key players out, City may now have to cope without another important figure for their trip to Anfield.
John Stones Emerges as a Doubt
According to the *Liverpool Echo*, John Stones is now a concern for the top-of-the-table showdown after missing training ahead of City’s Champions League match against Feyenoord.
The former Everton defender was substituted at halftime during the defeat to Tottenham, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday. Guardiola will be anxiously awaiting updates on the 30-year-old’s fitness as the team faces a crucial week.
City’s injury list also includes Oskar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic, though the return of Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku to training brings some relief after their absence against Spurs.
The Impact of Stones’ Potential Absence
Although it is not yet confirmed that Stones will miss the Liverpool clash, his absence from training has raised concerns.
Despite being a centre-back, Stones is currently City’s joint-second highest scorer this season with three goals, surpassing several attacking players, including Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jack Grealish.
If Stones is unavailable, Guardiola would lose a vital defender and a major set-piece asset, creating a further challenge as City looks to recover at Anfield.
Injury Troubles for Both Teams
Liverpool is also grappling with injury issues, meaning both sides will be missing key players in this high-stakes match.
While Stones’ absence would be a serious blow for City, injuries are never welcome, and fans will hope his situation is not severe, allowing him to return to action soon.
