Manchester City return to Premier League action this weekend for the first time in three weeks as they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool, aiming to extend their perfect start to the campaign after winning all five of their opening top-flight fixtures.
Manager Enzo Maresca faces several squad selection dilemmas for the trip to Merseyside, with uncertainty over the availability of some players. This will also be City's first game since news emerged that the club have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League. City deny any wrongdoing and submitted their appeal last week before Friday's deadline.
Semenyo and O'Reilly injury doubts
Antoine Semenyo handed City an injury scare during the international break after being forced to withdraw from the Ghana squad. The winger suffered a leg injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be available to face Liverpool on Sunday.
Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku told Asempa FM last month: "Antoine [Semenyo] and the coach spoke, and he told the coach, 'If you need me, I will come down for the medical team to re-examine me, but the truth is that my leg is swollen, and we need to treat it'."
Okraku added: "As a leader, if you want to know your players, and in this particular case, we know the players and how honest they are when it comes to situations like this, you'd have to ask yourself whether you'd allow Antoine to continue with his recovery and be ready for Man City and for Ghana during the next window. Or have Antoine fly down to Ghana to undergo an MRI and then ask him to go back because he can't play. His leg is swollen."
Nico O'Reilly also suffered an injury during the international break with England after featuring in their 3-2 defeat to Spain last month. O'Reilly subsequently withdrew from the Three Lions squad and returned to City for "further assessment". It is unclear if the defender will be available for City this weekend.
Foden suspended for Anfield trip
City will be without Phil Foden for the clash against Liverpool as the playmaker serves the third game of a three-match ban following his red card in the Manchester derby last month. Foden missed the Carabao Cup win over Norwich City and the Premier League win over Sunderland, and the clash against Liverpool will be the final time the England international is ruled out through suspension.
Potential return dates: Semenyo and O'Reilly could return for Liverpool (A) - Premier League - Sunday, October 11, while Foden is expected back for Paris Saint-Germain - Champions League - Wednesday, October 14.
