Manchester City will be without their star striker, Erling Haaland, for Sunday’s key Premier League clash against Liverpool after the Norwegian was ruled out with a knee injury.
Haaland, City’s top scorer, sustained the injury during the 4-0 win over Newcastle last weekend and was left on the bench during City’s Champions League quarter-final exit to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Despite hopes of a return, he has not been included in Pep Guardiola’s squad for the showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola has made four changes to the team that suffered a 3-1 defeat in Madrid, sealing a 6-3 aggregate exit from the Champions League.
Nathan Ake, Rico Lewis, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jeremy Doku return to the starting XI. Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, and John Stones make way, with Stones also ruled out due to injury.
Liverpool, currently leading the table, can extend their advantage over second-placed Arsenal to 11 points if they claim a rare victory at the Etihad Stadium, a ground where they have not won a league match in a decade.
Manager Arne Slot has made just one change from the team that drew 2-2 with Aston Villa midweek, with Luis Diaz replacing Diogo Jota in attack.
With Haaland absent and City looking to bounce back from European disappointment, all eyes will be on this high-stakes encounter that could shape the Premier League title race.
