Manchester City have been dealt an injury blow with midfielder Rodri suffering a setback in his recovery from a knee injury as they look to mount a title challenge against Liverpool. The absence of the Spain international was pinpointed as one of the catalysts for Pep Guardiola’s side relinquishing their stranglehold at the summit of English football.
The 29-year-old has been back in training and returned to the fold for City’s Club World Cup campaign, making a cameo appearance in he last-16 triumph over Al-Hilal. However, he has since suffered a groin injury, which will keep him out until after the September international break.
Liverpool are due to visit the Etihad Stadium at the beginning of November, in the last of the Reds’ first encounters with the Premier League’s big six.
Arne Slot’s side will begin the defence of their crown next Friday against AFC Bournemouth but before the encounter in Greater Manchester, Liverpool will face Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in the opening months of the campaign.
Liverpool are favourites to retain the title, something they failed to do five years ago after injuries plagued their defence under Jurgen Klopp, but City will be looking to bounce back.
But they will be forced to begin the season, which kicks off against Wolves, without their Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder.
“Rodri is getting better but he had a big injury in the last game against Al Hilal,” said Guardiola.
“He has trained better in the last few days, hopefully after the international break is when he will be really fit.
“Hopefully in these games he can play some minutes but what is important is he doesn’t have pain because we don’t want this Rodri coming back injured.
“We try desperately to avoid that. He has been training the last two sessions with us and that’s good.”
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