Liverpool’s trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday is already shaping up to be one of the biggest games of the Premier League season, and even before team news is confirmed, small details are starting to matter more than usual. One of those details is the fitness of Bernardo Silva, Manchester City’s captain, and Pep Guardiola’s latest comments have given Liverpool an important hint that all may not be well in the City camp.
As the countdown to Sunday continues, Liverpool supporters are watching every Guardiola press conference closely, searching for clues about who will be available and who might miss out. This time, the spotlight has fallen firmly on Bernardo Silva, a player Guardiola trusts deeply and relies on heavily, especially in high-pressure games against elite opponents like Liverpool.
Bernardo Silva missed Manchester City’s midweek win over Newcastle United, a match that confirmed City’s place in the Carabao Cup final. Normally, Guardiola resting a player midweek would not raise many eyebrows. But the way he spoke about Silva afterwards made it clear this was not simple rotation. There was uncertainty in his voice, and that uncertainty is now echoing loudly ahead of the Liverpool match.
Guardiola’s post-match comments, published on the club’s official website, were revealing. When asked about Silva’s chances of being fit for Sunday, the City manager did not offer reassurance. Instead, he openly admitted he does not know if his captain will be ready. He described Silva as “special” and praised his mentality, but the key phrase was impossible to ignore: “He’s an incredible doubt.”
That wording matters. Managers often downplay injuries or hide behind vague phrases, but Guardiola did neither here. He did not say Silva would be assessed. He did not say it was precautionary. He said he does not know. That alone is enough for Liverpool to take notice.
What makes the situation even more interesting is the type of injury Guardiola mentioned. He referred to a back muscle problem, not a hamstring or a knock. In football, back issues are unpredictable. They can settle quickly, or they can linger and limit movement, especially in players who rely on agility, balance, and constant turning, like Bernardo Silva.
Silva is not just another midfielder in this City team. He is the player Guardiola turns to when control is needed, when games become chaotic, and when opponents try to disrupt City’s rhythm. He presses relentlessly, covers ground intelligently, and helps City keep possession under pressure. Against Liverpool, those qualities are priceless.
Manchester City’s schedule has been relentless, and the midweek game against Newcastle added another physical and mental load. City won 3-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate, sealing their place in the Carabao Cup final, but the effort required should not be underestimated. Games against Newcastle are intense, physical, and demanding, especially in midfield areas.
Fatigue does not always show itself through obvious injuries. Sometimes it appears in reduced pressing, slower recovery runs, and less sharp decision-making. Bernardo Silva is one of the players Guardiola relies on to prevent that from happening. When City’s legs get heavy, Silva’s intelligence and positioning help them stay compact and organised.
This season, Silva’s importance cannot be measured by goals alone. His Premier League numbers tell a deeper story. He has four assists, an expected assists figure of 2.13, and a passing accuracy close to 90 percent. He has also created six big chances. These statistics underline his role as a connector, a player who keeps City ticking rather than grabbing headlines.
Without him, City lose more than creativity. They lose balance. They lose a player who can operate in tight spaces, receive the ball under pressure, and slow the game down when needed. They also lose one of their most reliable workers when possession is lost. Silva is often the first to press, the first to recover, and the first to help out defensively.
From a Liverpool perspective, that absence would be significant. Arne Slot’s team are built on intensity, quick transitions, and exploiting space when opponents lose shape. If City are missing Silva, it becomes harder for them to maintain control in midfield, especially during moments when Liverpool look to break quickly.
Liverpool’s attacking plans often rely on releasing runners early and finding players between the lines. Hugo Ekitike thrives when there is space to attack, and Florian Wirtz is most dangerous when he can receive the ball in pockets, turn, and drive forward. Silva is one of the players who usually helps close those spaces before they become dangerous.
Of course, Bernardo Silva is not the only injury concern for Manchester City. Their squad has been stretched in recent weeks, and several players are managing fitness issues. According to injury reports, Guardiola has been juggling his options carefully, often having to adjust his system to cover missing personnel.
Liverpool fans know this situation well, because injuries have shaped their own season too. Arne Slot has rarely been able to pick the same starting eleven twice in a row, and his pre-match updates before the Newcastle game included news on no fewer than seven players. Managing workloads and protecting key players has become a weekly challenge.
One of the biggest long-term concerns for Liverpool is Conor Bradley. The young defender’s knee problem has raised serious worries, with injury expert Ben Dinnery suggesting his recovery could extend deep into the future. The idea that Bradley might not return until late 2026 or even early 2027 is a sobering thought for Liverpool supporters.
That context matters when looking at City’s injury doubts. Liverpool are already operating with thinner margins at the back, even after their impressive 4-1 comeback win over Newcastle. That victory restored belief and momentum, but it did not erase the reality that Liverpool are still coping with absences and fitness issues of their own.
Because of that, any uncertainty in City’s squad becomes magnified. Liverpool know they will need everything to go right to get a result at the Etihad. They know City at full strength are extremely difficult to beat at home. But if Guardiola is missing one or two key players, especially someone as influential as Bernardo Silva, the balance of the game shifts slightly.
Guardiola’s comments suggest this is not a situation that will be resolved easily. He spoke about Silva’s willingness to play through pain, something Liverpool fans have seen many times from players of that mentality. But willingness does not always equal readiness. Back muscle issues can limit turning, sprinting, and stamina, all of which are essential against a high-tempo Liverpool side.
There is also the question of leadership. Bernardo Silva is City’s captain, and his presence on the pitch carries weight. He sets the tone, communicates constantly, and keeps teammates focused. In big games, that leadership can be the difference between staying calm and losing control.
If Silva is unavailable, Guardiola will have options, but none offer the same profile. City can still dominate possession, still move the ball well, but the subtle control Silva provides is difficult to replace. It is not about one moment of magic; it is about ninety minutes of intelligence.
Liverpool will be preparing for both scenarios. They will plan as if Silva is playing, because that is the safest approach. But they will also know that his absence could open up opportunities, especially in midfield transitions and pressing traps.
From Guardiola’s side, the uncertainty is real. He did not rule Silva out, but he did not rule him in either. That puts Liverpool in an interesting position. They can sense doubt, but they cannot rely on it. Guardiola is famous for late decisions, surprise inclusions, and unexpected tactical twists.
As Sunday approaches, this injury hint becomes one of the key talking points. It is not headline-grabbing in the way a star striker’s absence would be, but in tactical terms, it could be just as important. Games between Liverpool and Manchester City are often decided by fine margins, by moments of control, by who wins the midfield battles.
For now, the message is clear. Bernardo Silva is a genuine doubt. Pep Guardiola does not know if his captain will be ready. Liverpool will monitor the situation closely, knowing that even a small crack in City’s structure could be worth exploiting.
When the team news finally drops on Sunday, the answer will be revealed. Until then, Liverpool can take some quiet encouragement from Guardiola’s words, while remaining fully aware that Manchester City, even without Bernardo Silva, are still a formidable opponent at home.
One thing is certain. This is not routine. This is not rotation. This is a real injury question, and in a game of this magnitude, that alone makes it significant.
