Liverpool sits three points behind Manchester City in the Premier League rankings, and Pep Guardiola has spoken out about the team’s injury concerns.
As the title race with Liverpool approaches its climax, Pep Guardiola has stated that three Manchester City defenders are ‘out for the season.’
The Reds are still in contention for the Premier League crown, but the weekend’s events have delivered them a setback.
Tottenham Hotspur held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw, while Manchester City defeated Newcastle United 5-0.
With three games remaining, Jurgen Klopp’s side is presently three points behind City. Liverpool will go to Aston Villa in midweek, while Guardiola’s side will visit Wolves.
Guardiola was forced to replace center-back Ruben Dias at halftime during City’s triumph over Newcastle due to injury.
John Stones and Kyle Walker, two fellow defenders, were absent from the game, and their manager has stated that the trio will not play again this season.
With those injuries, the only fit senior defenders are Oleksandr Zinchenko, Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo, and Nathan Ake, who missed the game over Newcastle due to a minor injury.
Breaking: Kyle Walker, John Stones and Ruben Dias have been ruled out for the rest of the season, says Pep Guardiola.
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) May 8, 2022
“Ruben, Kyle and John are out for the season. A lot, otherwise, it’s CJ (Ega-Riley) or (Luke) Mbete,” said Guardiola, when asked if Fernandinho will be important for City in the run-in against Liverpool.In this situation it’s not a problem, Rodri can play there. We have the academy. Everyone has to do extra.
“Thirteen players and a half for these games and everyone has to do more and more to help our absence. We arrive with problems and that’s all. Fernandinho did good and we are going to do it.”
This could well mean that the defending champions will have to work their socks off against Wolves next weekend and make sure they won’t fall apart.
In the meantime, Liverpool fixtures are a bit easier compare to the Mancunians and there could be a twist and turn on the last match week of the Premier League.
And by the looks of it Diaz, Walker, and John Stones’ injury could be a ‘blessing in disguise’ for the Reds if City slips up in any of their league games.
