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Liverpool has been handed a major Premier League title boost after Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed he would be without a number of key players this weekend.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed he will be without a number of key players this weekend, in news that will likely boost Liverpool ahead of their clash with Arsenal.
Liverpool travel to the Emirates on Sunday knowing a win over the Gunners will see them open up a seven point lead on Mikel Arteta’s side, whilst also keeping them top of the Premier League. The Reds’ 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend would have also opened up a three point lead on Man City, had the defending Premier League champions not scored a dramatic late winner against Wolves just half an hour before Liverpool’s victory over Enzo Maresca and co.
However, this weekend could see City face another tough test, with Guardiola confirming on Friday he will be without Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish for their clash against Southampton.
“We’ll go with the squad to start with, have you got any hope Kevin de Bruyne or Kyle Walker or something might be able to be involved,” Guardiola was asked, to which the Spaniard replied: “No, not yet.”
“Both missing still?” Guardiola was then asked, to which he nodded. “Just on Kevin, I know you spoke a little bit about it after the game the other night, how long do you think it’ll be before [he’s back],” asked the reporter, which Guardiola replying: “I don’t know.”
Pep Guardiola says Kevin De Bruyne is out of tomorrow's game against Southampton and does not know when he will return 🔵
Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish are also out ❌ pic.twitter.com/3SB27tHXjv
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 25, 2024
Guardiola was then asked: “How much of a concern is that?”, with the City boss adding: “Yeah, of course I prefer everyone in the squad with the amount of games but it is what it is. Hopefully he’s back soon. I don’t know yet, I would like to tell you.”
And the City boss also replied: “No” when asked about the availability of Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish.
Liverpool.com says: “Liverpool could come out of this weekend with a seven point lead over Arsenal if they come away from the Emirates with all three points. The Gunners, like City, also have their own injury issues to deal with and will be missing William Saliba (suspension), Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka when they welcome Liverpool.”
