Liverpool star Thiago Alcantara 'ruled out of Man City clash' in major blow for Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their upcoming Premier League game against Manchester City.

Liverpool travel to face City at the Etihad on Saturday in a match that could have a major impact on the title race and the battle for the top four.

City are eight points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, having played a game less, but can cut that gap to just five points if they beat Liverpool – with the Gunners playing Leeds later that afternoon.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are seven points off the Champions League places and will be desperate for a positive result this weekend, with games against Chelsea and Arsenal coming up.

The Reds are set to be without midfielder Thiago Alcantara for the trip to Manchester.

Football Insider claim the Spaniard has not recovered from a hip injury in time to feature in the match.

Thiago sustained the hip flexor injury following Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Wolves at Molineux in February.

It was initially reported that he was facing a four-week spell on the sidelines, with Liverpool's medical staff hopeful that he would be able to return to first-team action after the international break.

But he is yet to return to first-team training and is therefore unlikely to feature against City.

Diaz in contention to return

However, Liverpool could welcome back winger Luis Diaz, who has been out of action since October after suffering a knee injury in a match against Arsenal.

The Colombian recently returned to light training and could potentially feature against City, although Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to rush him back to action if there are any doubts over his fitness.

City are not without injury troubles of their own, with Erling Haaland set to face a late fitness test.

The Norwegian Football Federation announced last Monday that Haaland would not play in their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Spain and Georgia after he felt discomfort in his groin during their training camp in Marbella.

The striker was sent for tests in Barcelona and now faces a race against time to be passed fit to face Liverpool, with Haaland's father admitting it was "touch and go" if he would be involved.

Topics: Football, Manchester City, Liverpool, Premier League, Thiago Alcantara

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan