Manchester City could reportedly be without key man Kevin De Bruyne for their Premier League title showdown with Liverpool.
The Belgium international, voted City’s Player of the Season last time out, has been restricted to just nine appearances in all competitions this term due to a succession of injuries.
De Bruyne’s latest complaint is of muscle soreness following his return from a six-week layoff earlier this month, ruling him out of Sunday’s trip to Southampton.
According to The Mirror, however, the Citizens may suffer a bigger blow as the 27-year-old is now facing a fight to be fit in time for Thursday’s clash with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola has used De Bruyne in City’s last four matches, but he lasted just 70 minutes of the 2-1 loss to Leicester City before having to be taken off.
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The report suggests that the champions do not expect the former Chelsea playmaker to be back to full fitness for at least another month.