Manchester City's preparations to face Arsenal this weekend have suffered another setback with news of a fifth player withdrawing from international duty.
07.03.2024 - 10:33 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester City secured their spot in the Champions League last eight on Wednesday night and already attention has shifted to Sunday’s Premier League title showdown with Liverpool.
The two are separated by a point at the top of the table ahead of the meeting at Anfield with Arsenal also in the mix in a three horse title race. The Gunners had a free midweek while City and Liverpool had European commitments.
The Reds visit Sparta Prague in the Europa League tonight while City beat FC Copenhagen on Wednesday. And Pep Guardiola’s midweek selection and substitutions offer a clear hint to his thoughts for the Liverpool clash.
ALSO READ: 'We are scared of them' - Guardiola has Man City Champions League fear
ALSO READ: Man City fatigue worry as Pep Guardiola takes swipe at scheduling and makes Liverpool vow
Kevin De Bruyne was among six regulars left on the bench against the Danes alongside Phil Foden. Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and Nathan Ake also played no part in the European fixture and all can expect to start this weekend. John Stones came on to replace Ruben Dias, who was the sole City player at risk of a Champions League suspension, midway through the second half suggesting they’ll both line up against Liverpool.
Influential midfielder Rodri started against the Danes but was taken off at the break with the tie secure to protect him for Liverpool. Striker Erling Haaland played nearly a full game but will lead the line at Anfield while Ederson will start in goal.
That leaves just one place up for grabs for Guardiola to fill. Injury to Jack Grealish means he’s unlikely to feature while Matheus Nunes was forced off against Copenhagen although he would have been unlikely to play against Liverpool regardless. Jeremy
Manchester City's preparations to face Arsenal this weekend have suffered another setback with news of a fifth player withdrawing from international duty.
Both Manchester United and Manchester City booked their place in the final four of the FA Cup over the weekend with another trip to Wembley on the horizon for both clubs.
Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, as they learned their route to the final on Friday.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already confessed he would prefer to avoid Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in today's Champions League quarter-final draw.
Manchester City have raked in more than €85million from their Champions League run thus far, dwarfing the figures earned by their Premier League rivals.
Liverpool may have used Trent Alexander-Arnold's 'it means more' comments as fuel against Manchester City this weekend - but the Blues squad insist the pre-match row played little part in their preparations at Anfield.
Jamie Carragher is still of the opinion Manchester City are the team to beat as the business end of the Premier League season approaches.
All eyes were on the touchline - but Pep Guardiola ensured there would be no fireworks at Anfield on Sunday. Manchester City did their talking with the ball, not in the media or in the stands.
Pep Guardiola said that Kevin De Bruyne was happy after the game as he explained the thinking behind the substitutions that he believed saved Manchester City a point against Liverpool.
Manchester City defender John Stones said there was a sense of deflation inside the dressing room following their 1-1 draw with Premier League title rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean said there was 'nothing wrong' with Manchester City's opening goal against Liverpool.
Gary Neville believes Manchester City must win at Anfield this afternoon to prove one final point under Pep Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola will have a near fully-fit squad for Manchester City's clash against Liverpool.
Manchester City will kick off at Liverpool today earlier than expected in an attempt to avoid scenes that have blighted recent meetings between the two clubs.
Liverpool could have as many as 10 first-team players unavailable when they face Manchester City today.
Pep Guardiola doesn't want to focus on anything but his own Manchester City side this weekend - telling his players that if the Liverpool crowd at Anfield begin to influence the referee, they must simply perform better to try and win.
It was a record-breaking night for Manchester City on Wednesday as they brushed Copenhagen aside to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals.
Manchester City had started thinking of Sunday's huge Premier League clash at Liverpool when he rested seven big names for the Champions League last-16 second leg vs FC Copenhagen.
Pep Guardiola refused to talk about Sunday's trip to Liverpool after overseeing Manchester City's place in the Champions League quarter finals, insisting his selection decisions against Copenhagen on Wednesday were completely unconnected to the impending title race showdown at the weekend.
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has named the Manchester City player who is doing what he has 'never seen before in the history of English football'.