Man City dealt major injury blow ahead of crucial Liverpool showdown

Manchester City have been dealt a fresh injury blow ahead of Sunday’s crucial showdown against Liverpool with captain David Silva set to miss the trip to Anfield, according to the Express.

Silva started against Southampton on Saturday afternoon but was taken off at half-time after being forced off with a muscle injury that he sustained during the opening forty-five minutes at the Etihad.

Striker Gabriel Jesus replaced the Spaniard at the break as Man City came from a goal down to secure a vital three points against the Saints thanks to second half goals from Sergio Aguero and Kyle Walker.

Speaking after the victory, Pep Guardiola confirmed to reporters that Silva had sustained a muscle injury and is expected to be ruled out for at least 10-12 days meaning he’ll miss Sunday’s huge clash with Liverpool.

Guardiola is quoted by the Express as saying:

“David Silva was injured. Five minutes before the first half ended he told me he had a muscular problem,”

“When he has a muscular problem and cannot play more minutes it is because he has something and when it is a muscular problem it is always a minimum of 10-12 days.”

The news will be a huge blow to Guardiola as Silva has featured in all of Man City’s 11 Premier League matches this season – contributing two goals and 4 assists so far.

The 33-year-old’s absence will be sorely felt as the Citizens head to Anfield this weekend looking for a positive result to reduce Liverpool’s six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Guardiola is already having to cope without the services of key defender Aymeric Laporte as the Frenchman is not expected to return from a serious knee injury until well into 2020.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leroy Sane and Rodri will also miss the trip to Liverpool on Sunday so Guardiola has a number of injury concerns to worry about heading into what will be a pivotal game in this seasons title race.