Manchester City v Liverpool: Team news
Darwin Nunez is available for Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City but the trip to Etihad Stadium comes too soon for Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara.
Forward Nunez withdrew from the Uruguay squad during the international break having picked up a foot injury in the Reds’ match against Real Madrid on March 15, but he is back in team training with his club.
Jürgen Klopp said on Friday: “Darwin couldn’t train for two or three days this week still because of the cut he got against Real Madrid on his foot but was yesterday then back in full training so he is definitely in contention.”
Diaz, who has not played since suffering a knee injury in October, has also been involved in Liverpool’s preparations for Saturday’s meeting with City.
But Klopp confirmed the Colombian will not feature until next weekend’s fixture versus Arsenal at Anfield at the earliest.
“We have to be patient but it’s a massive boost anyway,” the manager told Liverpoolfc.com of the No.23’s return to training.
“It’s just nice to have the boy around because he is a super energiser, super-positive impact with just being around.
“So, we will see. In training everything looks fine but of course he’s not in the squad for the weekend, there’s no chance.
“Next week will be an important week for him; this week he was doing parts of training, next week I think most of the things he can do. Then we will see. Maybe [ready for] Arsenal but more likely Leeds after that.”
Thiago, meanwhile, remains sidelined due to a hip issue, and Naby Keita is also unavailable.
Klopp continued: “Naby is out, he came back with a muscle injury from the national team. We will see how long it takes but obviously the season is not too long anymore. There is a chance that Naby comes back but we have to wait a little bit.
“Thiago is in a good way but was not part of team training yet. I think if things go well he will probably be part of next week’s team training, parts – [that] means we will see when he is back. Joe [Gomez] is fully back. Rhys Williams has a little bit of something.
“I think pretty much the rest is available; all back. We had a little bit stomach bugs here and there but [that] stopped two days ago so should be alright.”
When asked about the general condition of his squad, the boss replied: “Good but of course a few things are sore.
“These weeks after international duties are already super, super-special because the boys come back on different days; some came back on Tuesday, some on Wednesday, some on Thursday. Some came back yesterday – Robbo [Andy Robertson] – but will be in training for the first time today.
“Then you have to manage intensity and stuff like this. But what I saw so far, looking good, they are all in a good mood and now we have to use that.”
For City, Erling Haaland is a doubt after he withdrew from international duty with Norway because of injury.
Pep Guardiola said on Friday: “Erling is recovering. This afternoon is the last training session then we’ll see how he feels. We will see today. Again, the doctors and especially the player will decide how does he feel.
“Yesterday I spoke with him and he feels good. But we will see. Life is risk in these stages. You have to take it.”
Phil Foden will definitely be missing after appendix surgery, but Guardiola reported no other fitness concerns.
Last match
Man City 6-0 Burnley (March 18): Ortega, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Lewis, Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez, Alvarez, Haaland.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (March 15): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Milner, Gakpo, Salah, Nunez, Jota.