Manchester City travel to Anfield on Sunday knowing that this is not just another Premier League match, not just another famous rivalry, but a game that could shape the entire title race. With Arsenal watching closely and hoping for any slip, the spotlight is firmly on Liverpool and City as injuries pile up on both sides and managers Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola are forced into difficult decisions that could decide the destiny of the season. In total, as many as eleven players could miss the game, and that number alone tells a story of fatigue, pressure, bad luck, and the brutal demands of modern football.
For Liverpool, this match arrives at a strange moment. There is excitement around the new era under Arne Slot, but there is also uncertainty. Injuries have hit at key times, especially in defence, and while Anfield remains one of the most intimidating stadiums in Europe, even the loudest crowd cannot block shots or track runners. Slot has been honest in his recent press conferences, admitting that his squad is stretched and that he must balance risk with ambition. He knows that rushing players back could cost him not just this match, but the rest of the season.
One small piece of good news for Liverpool is the possible return of Joe Gomez. The defender has been out with a groin injury and has missed several important matches, leaving Slot short of options at the back. Gomez has trained again and is close to full fitness, but Slot has already made it clear that starting him would be too risky. At best, Gomez may be on the bench, ready to help if the situation becomes desperate late in the game. His presence alone, even as a substitute, could be important, because it gives Liverpool one more defensive body against City’s relentless attacking movement.
However, any relief Liverpool feel about Gomez is quickly cancelled out by the absence of Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutch international was expected to be a major weapon this season with his pace, energy, and attacking threat from wide areas. Instead, a thigh injury has stopped him at a crucial point in the campaign. While early fears suggested a long layoff, the medical staff later confirmed that the injury was not as bad as first thought. Even so, Frimpong is still ruled out of this weekend’s clash, and his absence removes a key outlet for Liverpool, especially against a City side that likes to dominate possession and push opponents deep.
Liverpool’s injury list does not end there. Alexander Isak remains a long-term absentee after suffering a serious broken leg and ankle injury that required surgery. His recovery has been slow and careful, as expected with such a serious problem, and there is no chance of him featuring before the end of the season. Isak’s absence has been deeply felt, especially in matches where Liverpool have struggled to convert chances. His movement, finishing, and calmness in front of goal are qualities that are hard to replace, and against a team like Manchester City, those qualities are often the difference between a draw and a famous win.
Adding to Liverpool’s problems is the injury to young centre-back Giovanni Leoni. The teenager was seen as one for the future, but an ACL injury has ended his season before it really began. He will not return until next season, and while he may not have been a guaranteed starter against City, his absence reduces Liverpool’s depth even further. In a long and exhausting season, depth matters more than ever, and losing another defensive option is a blow Slot could have done without.
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Perhaps the most worrying injury for Liverpool fans is that of Conor Bradley. The young defender has been a bright spark, showing maturity beyond his years, but a serious knee injury picked up during a draw against Arsenal has changed everything. Bradley has undergone surgery and is now expected to miss the remainder of the season. His injury is a painful reminder of how quickly momentum can disappear in football. One moment you are impressing on the big stage, the next you are facing months of recovery. For Liverpool, losing Bradley means another hole in defence just as the title race reaches its most intense stage.
While Liverpool struggle to piece together a back line, Manchester City arrive with their own injury concerns, though there are signs of improvement. One major boost for Pep Guardiola is the return of Ruben Dias. The Portuguese defender has been a huge miss during his absence, and his leadership, positioning, and calmness at the back are qualities City desperately need in high-pressure matches. Dias travelled with the squad recently and was included in the matchday squad for a midweek fixture, showing that he is close to full fitness. His likely involvement against Liverpool will be seen as a major positive for City fans.
That said, not everything is smooth for Guardiola. John Stones remains a question mark, and his recovery has been described as a slow and careful process. Stones has not played since early December, and the club is taking no chances with his return. Guardiola knows how important Stones is to his system, especially with his ability to step into midfield and help control games, but he also knows that rushing him back could lead to another setback. For now, Stones remains unavailable, and City must continue without one of their most versatile players.
City’s problems extend beyond central defence. Savinho is also out with a thigh injury, removing another attacking option from Guardiola’s plans. There is hope that Savinho could return later in the month, but this weekend comes too soon. His absence limits City’s ability to stretch play and attack from wide areas, something Guardiola values highly, especially against teams like Liverpool who press aggressively and look to force mistakes.
Jeremy Doku is another concern after being forced off during a Champions League match with a calf injury. Doku’s pace and directness have caused problems for many defences this season, and losing him would be a blow, especially at Anfield where quick transitions can punish even the smallest error. The severity of Doku’s injury is still being assessed, but there is a real chance he could miss the Liverpool game, adding to Guardiola’s selection headaches.
At the back, Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a broken leg suffered at the start of the year. Gvardiol’s injury has left a noticeable gap in City’s defence, particularly on the left side, where his strength and composure are hard to replace. His recovery is progressing, but like several others, this match comes too soon. Guardiola must once again shuffle his defensive options in one of the toughest away games in English football.
Mateo Kovacic is another long-term absentee for City. The midfielder has been out with an ankle injury and is not expected back any time soon. Kovacic’s ability to control tempo and carry the ball through midfield has been missed, especially in matches where City have struggled to break down deep defences. Against Liverpool, his experience and calmness would have been valuable, but Guardiola must find other solutions.
When you put all these injuries together, it becomes clear why Arsenal are watching with interest. Any dropped points for either Liverpool or Manchester City could give Arsenal a huge boost in the title race. Arsenal have been consistent, patient, and ruthless this season, and they know that clashes like this are where titles are often decided. A draw might suit Arsenal more than either Liverpool or City, while a win for one side could shift momentum dramatically.
The psychological side of this match cannot be ignored. Anfield has a history of draining even the strongest teams, and Manchester City know better than most how difficult it is to come away with three points. At the same time, City have developed a resilience under Guardiola that allows them to survive hostile environments and still impose their style of play. The question is whether their injury-hit squad can handle the intensity Liverpool will bring from the first minute.
For Arne Slot, this game is another test of his ability to manage big moments. Facing Pep Guardiola is never easy, especially when your squad is missing key players. Slot must decide how aggressive to be, how high to press, and how much risk to take. Too cautious, and City will dominate possession and territory. Too open, and City’s quality could punish Liverpool on the counter. With defensive options limited, every tactical choice carries extra danger.
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, faces his own dilemmas. Does he trust returning players like Ruben Dias to start in such a demanding game? Does he adjust his system to protect a defence missing key figures? Guardiola is known for bold decisions in big matches, but injuries limit his flexibility. He must find the right balance between control and aggression, especially knowing that Arsenal are waiting for any mistake.
Beyond tactics and injuries, this match is also about belief. Liverpool need to show that they can compete with the very best even when circumstances are against them. Manchester City need to prove that their dominance does not depend on a perfect squad. Arsenal need both teams to stumble, even slightly. Every tackle, every sprint, every substitution will be watched and analysed, not just by fans, but by rivals hoping for an advantage.
As Sunday approaches, uncertainty hangs over both camps. Team news will be studied closely, and any late fitness updates could shift expectations. What is certain is that this game will not lack drama. Injuries may remove some star names, but they also create opportunities for others to step up and define their season. Football has a habit of producing heroes when they are least expected.
In the end, Liverpool versus Manchester City is never just about eleven players on the pitch. It is about pressure, history, ambition, and the fine margins that decide titles. With as many as eleven players potentially missing, those margins may be even finer. Arsenal will be hoping for chaos. Liverpool will be hoping for courage. Manchester City will be hoping for control. And the Premier League title race will be watching, holding its breath, as another crucial chapter is written at Anfield.
