Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has cast doubt over Bernardo Silva’s availability for Sunday’s highly anticipated Premier League clash against Liverpool, revealing that the Portuguese midfielder is struggling with a muscle issue and remains a major fitness concern.
Silva featured in City’s 3-1 victory over Newcastle United in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, a performance that helped secure the defending champions’ place in the final.
However, his involvement in that match may have come at a cost, with Guardiola admitting that the midfielder is now an “incredible doubt” for the trip to Anfield.
Speaking after the Newcastle game, Guardiola explained that Silva had expressed confidence in his condition but acknowledged that the situation remains uncertain.
“Yesterday he said to me, ‘I feel quite good. I want to try,’” Guardiola said. “But I don’t know.”
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The City boss clarified that the injury is not a classic hamstring problem but affects a nearby muscle, which still poses a significant risk given the intensity of the Liverpool fixture.
“It’s in a position less dangerous than the hamstring, another type of muscle in the hamstring position,” Guardiola added. “But we’ll see in the next days.”
Despite the uncertainty, Guardiola suggested that Silva’s determination could yet see him push for a place in the squad, even if the final decision will depend on medical assessments in the build-up to the match.
“‘Could be OK’ is not the word. He’s an incredible doubt,” he said. “He will try, I think so. Knowing him, he will try. But right now, I don’t know.”
Silva’s potential absence would be a blow for Manchester City, given his importance in midfield and his tactical versatility. With Liverpool looming in a crucial title race encounter, Guardiola faces an anxious wait as he assesses whether one of his most influential players will be fit enough to feature.