Why Jack Grealish misses Man City vs Liverpool but John Stones returns

Jack Grealish misses Manchester City's match with Liverpool due to illness.

The England international played for his national team this week and returned to training with the Blues, but has been ruled out of the squad for one of the biggest games of the season after coming down with illness. That left Pep Guardiola with the simple choice of picking Jeremy Doku on the left wing, who had started ahead of Grealish at Chelsea before the international break but is in a battle for a place in the team when the pair are fit.

Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic are also sidelined with the injuries they have picked up over the last fortnight, joining Kevin De Bruyne on the sidelines. It means that City are without four first-team players and for the second match in a row they have been unable to name a full bench.

However, City have been boosted by the news that John Stones is available again and fit enough to be involved in the squad against Liverpool. Stones is on the bench for the lunchtime kick-off but news of his availability is huge given Guardiola had initially feared the defender would be out for much longer.

Sergio Gomez and Nathan Ake also return from their respective injuries to mean that City have seen three players return from issues as another three have dropped out. Guardiola has made one change from the 4-4 draw with Chelsea, with Nathan Ake in for Josko Gvardiol.

City XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Bernardo; Foden, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland.

Subs: Ortega, Phillips, Stones, Gomez, Gvardiol, Carson, Bobb, Lewis.