20 Nov 2015

Confirmed Team News: Massive injury boost for Liverpool as boss reveals £71m-trio will miss LFC-City game

Liverpool face a tough game against Manchester City this weekend, and although the Reds are suffering from an ongoing injury crisis, City (thankfully) have problems of their own. Liverpool haven't beaten City on their own ground for over seven years (!) but ahead of the game, there's good news for LFC's chances of securing a much-needed victory at the Etihad Stadium.

The last time Liverpool beat City in the league (October 2008), Rafa Benitez was still at the helm, and Jurgen Klopp had just taken over at Dortmund.

Since then, it's four defeats and two draws in six league games for the Reds, and going into Saturday's game, City are unbeaten in nine games (all competitions), which doesn't bode well for Liverpool's chances.

There is some good news, though. In his pre-match press conference today, City boss Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that several of his key players are out of tomorrow's game. He told reporters:

"Silva [£26m-rated] continues with some small pain in his ankle, so it's a risk for him to play. Unfortunately, Nasri is also injured [out for at least 17 games] and Kompany [£20m-rated] and Bony [cost: £25m] are also injured.”

The downside is that Aguero is 'fit and ready to come back', but after 6 weeks out, he won't be fully match-fit, and that will hopefully have an impact on his effectiveness. #ClutchingAtStraws

Liverpool vs. City: Last 10 League Games

* Won: 2 | Lost: 4 | Drew: 4

* Goals For: 8 | Goals Against: 15

* Failed to Score: 5 games (50%)

* Failed to win: 8 games (80%)

With City in the same boat (injury-wise) as Liverpool, there can be no excuses from fans/Klopp about the injury crisis. Both teams are missing key players, and it'll be down to their replacements to step up and make the difference.

Coutinho proved against Chelsea that he can make the difference in big games, so it's now time for Firmino, Lallana, Milner, Can, and/or Benteke to step up and make a game-changing impact.

Author: Jaimie K


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