Abdukodir Khusanov adds to Manchester City injury concerns following Liverpool clash

Manchester City’s dramatic 2-1 victory at Anfield may have reignited their Premier League title hopes, but it has also added another name to Pep Guardiola’s growing injury list. Central defender Abdukodir Khusanov was forced off late in Sunday’s clash after sustaining a head injury in a collision with Liverpool goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during a goal-saving block.

The 20-year-old Uzbekistan international, making his first appearance at Anfield, had impressed against the league leaders before the incident, drawing effusive praise from his manager. “His first time in Anfield. Coming from Uzbekistan, six months in France, coming here, first time here, against [Hugo] Ekitike, [Mohamed] Salah… what a game he played, that guy,” Guardiola told reporters.

City’s medical staff will now follow concussion protocols to determine Khusanov’s availability for Wednesday’s home meeting with Fulham. The setback compounds an already stretched defensive unit; Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Savinho remain unavailable, leaving Guardiola to weigh fresh rotation options amid a congested run-in.

The win, sealed by Bernardo Silva’s 78th-minute equaliser and an Erling Haaland penalty deep into stoppage time, trimmed Arsenal’s lead at the summit to six points and maintained momentum from the midweek Carabao Cup semi-final triumph over Newcastle. Yet the priority shifts swiftly to safeguarding squad health as City pursue trophies on multiple fronts.

Guardiola conceded he had no immediate update on Khusanov’s condition, underscoring the cautious approach the club will take with any head injury. With pivotal fixtures looming, the champions can ill afford further defensive absences, placing added scrutiny on the coming medical assessments.