All eyes at Manchester City are on Sunday’s trip to Anfield, where the reeling Premier League champions take on the current leaders Liverpool.
Both sides were in Champions League action this week and, as has been the way in recent weeks, both had contrasting fortunes.
While City were able to snap a five-game losing streak when they drew with Feyenoord at the Etihad, their late collapse after leading 3-0 with 15 minutes to play felt just as bad as a defeat and was dubbed an ‘absolute disaster’ by Alan Shearer.
Liverpool meanwhile continued their fine run of form as they swept aside European champions Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield, in what would appear to be the perfect preparation for Sunday’s match, underling Kyle Walker’s comments on what has changed under their new boss Arne Slot.
However, two late injuries took the shine off Liverpool’s latest victory, with one player dubbed ‘outstanding’ this season now a worry for Sunday’s clash against Pep Guardiola’s side.
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LiverpoolLiverpool
Man CityManchester City
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Liverpool suffer double injury blow against Real Madrid
After keeping Kylian Mbappe at bay, Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley was forced off with three minutes remaining with what looked like a hamstring issue, while centre-back Ibrahima Konate was in clear pain following the final whistle, limping off the pitch.
Reds boss Arne Slot gave a brief update in his post-match press conference.
“I know where they have pain but how bad or good it is is difficult to judge so close after the game,” said the Dutchman.
“This is what happens during a season – we missed Trent, Jota and Alisson today and Kostas as well.
“I’m really hoping both of them are available to play because we want them all available but if not, someone else has to step up. Until now, everyone I have selected to start has shown up and that’s what’s going to happen on Sunday.”
‘Outstanding’ Konate would be a huge miss for Liverpool against City
French international Konate has played in every Liverpool Premier League and Champions League game so far this term, with his partnership with Virgil van Dyke arguably the bedrock of the club’s superb start to the season, with the club conceding just eight league goals so far.
His performances this season have seen seen his eclipse the Reds skipper, according to former England and Arsenal defender Martin Keown.
“What I do see at Liverpool is Konate being quite outstanding, he’s probably gone ahead of Van Dijk,” said Keown told talkSPORT.
“The way that he gets tight to people, his mobility, his confidence, every area of the game, he’s looking quite awesome.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 | LiverpoolLiverpool | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 8 | 16 | 31 |
| 2 | Man CityManchester City | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 23 |
“They’ve hardly conceded any goals this season, I know it’s about a partnership. But he looks like he’s coming out of the shadow at Van Dijk, so Konate is probably the best one for me.”
Slot is likely to issue an update on the condition of the two defenders in his Friday pre-match press conference, while he also has injury concerns over Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas and Alisson.
