Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has been sent home from international duty with Ghana due to an injury concern ahead of the Premier League clash against Liverpool. The 26-year-old will miss Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against the Ivory Coast and Gambia.
Semenyo has been in impressive form for Enzo Maresca's side. Last Sunday, he scored twice as City beat Sunderland 5-3, earning man of the match honours. After the victory, he admitted he was 'battered and bruised'.
Ghana FA explains decision
Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku has explained that a decision was made not to risk Semenyo during this international break. Speaking to Asempa FM, he said: "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.'
"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."
Maresca praises Semenyo's impact
City boss Maresca previously praised Semenyo's impact in the absence of Jeremy Doku, hinting at what his side could miss against Liverpool. The Italian said: "It's much better to work with him than against, for sure, no doubt. Again, he's giving us a lot in terms of on the ball and off the ball.
"If you see the first goal we scored at [Crystal] Palace away, it was his cross. The first goal we scored against Coventry was his assist. So he's working very well. Again, not only on the ball, [but] also off the ball, he's working. He's helping the team a lot."
Liverpool will look to end City's 100 per cent start under Maresca when the two sides meet at Anfield on October 11 at 4:30pm. The Reds currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, with City three points clear at the top.
