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Manchester City are seven days away from the break and have seen six players added to the injured list.
They may be without nine players when they face Liverpool next weekend, leaving only 12 compatible outfield players as things stand. Ederson also retired from the outside service, the team facing Liverpool can count on only 14 senior players.
Some of the injuries or withdrawals would have possibly been healed until next Saturday, while Erling Haaland’s injury has been curiously described as “not career-threatening” by his national team coach. If Haaland is not available, it would not be the first time that City have faced Liverpool without their star striker.
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Last season, Haaland missed City’s home clash against Liverpool due to a groin injury, which may be a blow to City’s hopes in April as they may not make many mistakes in the Arsenal search.
Instead, Julián Álvarez led the line, with Pep Guardiola deploying his midfield with Argentinians Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan as number eight, and Rodri in midfield and John Stones pushing him in support. Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez were wide midfielders, with a back 3 of Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Manu Akanji when Stones did not advance.
It was a formula that would see City win the treble, and it would also see them come from behind to beat Liverpool 4-1 that day. Just like recently, unlike Young Boys, City can play without Haaland and still look comfortable.
If Haaland is out this weekend, the issue will be who can play in that midfield system to support Alvarez and keep things tight against Liverpool. With Rodri missing Spain’s clash with Cyprus this weekend, there is every chance none of the four central midfielders from April will be available next Saturday.
Of the players available, Guardiola may have to play a midfield of Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva, potentially with Manu Akanji adding an extra body from centre-back. Kalvin Phillips should also be available, but has never started a game of the magnitude of Liverpool, despite him being a more specialised defensive midfielder than Bernardo or Lewis.
The ‘box’ system may not be an option, unless Phil Foden plays at number ten in the role that Alvarez has excelled at so far this season. Even then, Akanji-Lewis-Bernardo-Foden is nowhere near as strong or experienced as Stones-Rodri-De Bruyne-Gundogan. And however good Jeremy Doku is going forward, he doesn’t offer the control that Mahrez did.
Liverpool, too, are stronger than they were at the end of last season, and will smell blood when they arrive at an injury-hit City. They have not won at the Etihad in the Premier League since Pep Guardiola arrived at City, and have just two wins in their last 13 visits. If they want to back up their early title promise, three points is a must this weekend.
Therefore, City will want to combine a squad made up of compatible people and hope that some of this week’s withdrawals will be more cautious than forced. Even having Rodri, Matheus Nunes or Mateo Kovacic would strengthen the characteristics – Kovacic would be out for two or three weeks. If Stones almost has compatibility, his return would be greatly appreciated under the circumstances.
Guardiola has changed systems before to suit who is available and will do it again. If Haaland isn’t fit, however, there is a precedent for beating Liverpool without the star striker.