Pep Guardiola ‘tactic’ under scrutiny as Man City deal with NINE injuries ahead of Liverpool clash

Manchester City are dealing with an injury crisis ahead of their Premier League clash against Liverpool - and Reds fans are placing City boss Pep Guardiola under scrutiny.

Erling Haaland suffered an ankle injury during Norway's Euro 2024 qualifier against Faroe Islands on Thursday, taking City's injury list to nine players ahead of their fixture against the Reds.

Norway's team doctor confirmed (as per Vg) that the striker had twisted his ankle - the same ankle in which he has had previous injury problems - although the seriousness of the problem is yet to be determined.

Until that is known, Haaland must be considered a doubt for Liverpool clash next weekend, in a fresh setback for Guardiola and his side.

After conceding a late penalty to Chelsea in their 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, City will look to bounce back against the Reds once the international break is over - but are seemingly facing an increasingly uphill task.

John Stones will definitely miss the match through injury, while Sergio Gomez and Kevin De Bruyne - the latter of whom hasn't played since the opening day of the Premier League season - are significant doubts.

Ederson, Nathan Ake, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes are also doubts after leaving their national teams, while Rodri limped out of Spain training on Wednesday but rejoined his team-mates on Thursday.

It has left Liverpool fans questioning Guardiola ahead of the fixture - believing that the Spaniard may even be playing some mind games.

Taking to Facebook, One wrote: "Pep playing mind games, majority of those players will be fit before that game."

Another added: "Apart from De Bruyne, all will be MAGICALLY fit."

A third said: "Pep does this all the time. Nothing new."

And a fourth claimed: "Every single one of them [will be] starting or in the squad against us."

While there have been elements of mind games from managers in the past when it comes to injuries, it would certainly be a much more novel approach to have nine players doubtful for the game - and have them all play anyway.

Guardiola will be desperately hoping, though, that he will be able to name the majority of his doubtful players in the squad to take on Liverpool.