Team News Update: Injury Boost For Liverpool But Key Man City Star Set To Miss Out

Manchester City welcome league leaders Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night for a titanic clash that could very well decide where the Premier League title ends up in May. Here is the latest team news….

Man City

According to the Belfast Telegraph, Kevin De Bryne remains a major doubt for the visit of Liverpool tomorrow night as the key Man City midfielder continues to struggle with a muscle problem.

De Bryne – who recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-0ff – was forced to miss Sunday’s victory at Southampton and Pep Guardiola admitted after the game at St Mary’s that he wasn’t sure whether the midfielder would recover in time to face Liverpool.

There has been no official update but the Belfast Telegraph are one of several media outlets who’re reporting that De Bryne is set to miss the huge showdown at the Etihad on Thursday night, which would be a real blow for City.

Fabian Delph is certain to miss the game as he’s still serving a suspension while Benjamin Mendy [knee] and Claudio Bravo [Achilles] are also still on the sidelines, but Ilkay Gundogan is expected to return.

Liverpool

The Reds have been handed a boost ahead of their trip to Manchester as James Milner is back in contention after recovering from a minor muscle injury. Milner missed the Boxing Day win over Newcastle United and the victory over Arsenal last weekend but he’s back in full training and could be recalled to face City tomorrow night.

Alberto Moreno should also be available again after a minor back problem, however, Dominic Solanke is still struggling to overcome his muscle strain and is unlikely to feature ahead of a reported loan move this month.

Liverpool will continue to be without Joe Gomez as he’s still recovering from a fractured leg while Joel Matip is also out with a broken collarbone that will keep him out until the end of January.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has stepped-up his rehabilitation from a serious knee ligament injury after returning to light training but the midfielder isn’t expected to resume full training until late February.