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Arne Slot: Manchester City Remain a Formidable Opponent Despite Injuries

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot warns that Manchester City remain a formidable opponent despite their injuries, ahead of their crucial Premier League clash at the Etihad.



Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed admiration for Pep Guardiola's management of Manchester City's injury-plagued squad. With a crucial Premier League clash against City looming on Sunday, Slot has raised concerns about his own team's fitness. Right-back Conor Bradley is likely to miss the City game, as well as Wednesday's home match against Newcastle United, due to a muscle injury.



Defender Joe Gomez will be out of action until the end of the season after undergoing hamstring surgery. Forward Cody Gakpo, who has missed Liverpool's last two league games due to a knock, is doubtful for the City clash. “I hope, I'm not 100% sure, Cody hasn't trained with the team yet. It will be a close call,” Slot told reporters on Thursday.


Slot provided updates on the status of other injured players, including Joe Gomez, who underwent surgery. “Joe had surgery, so he's out for a long time. He will be back maybe just before the end of the season.” Conor Bradley's chances of playing against City seem slim. “I would be completely surprised if Conor is available. You can assume that's not going to happen.”


Slot also discussed the limited playing time for (Diogo) Jota and Trent (Alexander-Arnold), citing their recent returns from injury. “(Diogo) Jota and Trent (Alexander-Arnold), the reason they don't play 90 minutes five times in a row in 15 days (is because) they just came back from an injury.”


Manchester City, currently fourth in the league, are reeling from their Champions League elimination after a 6-3 aggregate playoff loss to Real Madrid. The absence of star player Erling Haaland was deeply felt in their 3-1 away defeat on Wednesday. Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged City's strengths, despite their recent setbacks. “The style is the same even if they wear different shirts. It is a Guardiola side, even when they drop points. But even he needs quality players. If he has so many players out, in this league, it is so very hard,” Slot said.


Slot recognized the challenges City face in securing a top-four finish, but also noted their resilience. “They have signed three or four players and I can see them coming back already if you look at the 4-0 result against Newcastle.” He emphasized the importance of being prepared to face City's attacking prowess. “You have to suffer as well and work really hard to keep them away from your goal because they are so, so good in possession. But they face a strong visiting team as well who have not lost in 22 (league) games in a row.”




With Arsenal, currently second in the league, set to face West Ham before Liverpool's clash with City, Slot was asked if the outcome of that match would influence his tactics. However, the manager expressed his focus on the task at hand, rather than worrying about Arsenal's progress. “That doesn't make our game more difficult... We know already how difficult it is to go to the Etihad, so we don't need Arsenal to get involved in that even more,” he added.




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