City's Injury Doubt Clouds Liverpool Showdown: Will Bernardo Silva Play?
5 February 2026
Injury doubt ahead of City vs Liverpool
Manchester City face a fresh injury setback as captain Bernardo Silva's availability remains doubtful ahead of their eagerly awaited Premier League clash with Liverpool. Silva did not feature in the win over Newcastle United, and Guardiola confirmed there is a very big doubt about his participation for the Liverpool game.
Midfield setup and lineup possibilities
If Silva cannot play, City are likely to lean on Nico Gonzalez and Rodri in midfield, a pairing that helped secure a 3-1 win over Newcastle. Tijani Reijnders has been one of the season's standout performers and will contest a starting berth alongside Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki in attack. Omar Marmoush has also been in scoring form, recently bagging a brace in a different fixture.
Form and key notes
City captain Bernardo Silva has started the vast majority of league games this season, and his potential absence would mark a first since the campaign began. Erling Haaland looked sharp when introduced as a substitute in recent minutes, while Antoine Semenyo and others remain options on the wings or through the middle. Guardiola warned that Silva's return depends on a late assessment, and the decision will be taken with caution as always.
Punchline 1: If Silva plays, City might need a map to their goal—it's been a while since they found it.
Punchline 2: If he doesn't, Guardiola will bench-press patience and still win the press conference of the day.
