Pep Guardiola admits that he does not know when Erling Haaland will be available again, but hopes that he will play on Wednesday when Manchester City travel to take on Tottenham Hotspur.
The Norwegian sat on the bench last week as City were beaten 3-1 at Real Madrid and then was not involved in the squad at all on Sunday as they lost 2-0 at home to Liverpool.
It was a nightmare week for Guardiola and his team, although they do still sit fourth in the Premier League so a return to the Champions League remains in their own hands.
The manager will want to have his star striker available again as soon as possible, but says he is somewhat in the dark over when that will be.
Haaland picked up a knock to his knee in the win over Newcastle on 15 February, but despite scans not showing any serious injury, the forward has said he is not able to play.
On when he will return, Guardiola said: ‘I don’t know. I would like to know but I don’t know.
‘His knee – the moment against Newcastle moved the knee. Apparently he’s not injured because the scans dictate that he’s fine but he didn’t feel fine.
‘I have the feeling it will be soon because he trained yesterday [Saturday] and made some really good movements but he said he was not ready and we have to respect that. Hopefully he can be back for Spurs and the next games to help us.’
He added after the loss to the Reds: ‘I don’t know [if he’s back against Spurs] I am not saying we didn’t get the result because Erling was not there. That is unfair on the other players. We could finish more but in general it is fine.’
Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai scored the goals at the Etihad on Sunday as Liverpool went 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Manchester City are 20 points behind them and have long been out of the title race, but are battling to return to the Champions League next campaign after being dumped out by Real Madrid.
Guardiola suggests the complete contrast in seasons between Liverpool and his team is at least partly down to injuries.
‘I don’t know what would have happened if everyone was here,’ Guardiola said. ‘I don’t know if Liverpool would be able to win the Premier League. They are a fantastic team and they are similar in details.
‘They have had no injuries and that is why they could be a stable team and we could not do it. And it is what it is. You cannot achieve what you want all the time. I know how difficult it will be to qualify for the Champions League. I am really pleased with how we have behaved against Newcastle and today.
‘Of course, with Erling we are a better team. With Rodri we are a better team. With John Stones and Akanji we are a better team and for many reasons with other players we are a better team.’
Reds boss Arne Slot is insistent that the title race is not yet over, saying in other leagues it may have been, but not the Premier League.
‘In every other league having a lead like this would be very comfortable, except for this one because this league every single game gives you a lot of challenges,’ he said.
Arrow MORE: Gary Lineker names the striker Arsenal should sign ahead of Chelsea and Man Utd
Arrow MORE: Gary Neville hits out at Arsenal ‘obsession’ after Liverpool extend lead at top