Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero a fitness doubt ahead of top of the table clash against Liverpool
Argentine striker is struggling with a heel injury that he picked up in the game against Newcastle
SERGIO AGUERO is struggling to be fully fit for Manchester City’s top of the table clash with Liverpool next week.
Aguero is struggling with a heel problem that he picked up in the game at Newcastle and may even be rested for the trip away to Hoffenheim in the Champions League this coming week ahead of the big game at Anfield.
Manager Pep Guardiola was ready to take the player off just before he scored City’s second in a 2-0 win over Brighton in the 65th minute.
After he scored he was able to replace him in triumph.
Guardiola said: “Sergio is struggling a bit with some problems in his feet. He is not 100 percent.
“He has not recovered from what happened against Newcastle and we spoke about him playing 55-60 minutes. We were lucky he scored at the right moment.
“We have two games left before the international break. Hopefully he can do the two and then recover.”
Aguero now has 148 Premier League goals the third highest alongside Alan Shearer by a player with a single club.
Thierry Henry with 175 for Arsenal and Wayne Rooney with 183 for Manchester United are ahead of him.
The injury problem to Aguero aside, Guardiola could not be happier right now ahead of those two games after another convincing win.
He said: “I am a lucky guy to have this kind of group. They are fantastic human beings.
“After we had done seven games we are as consistent as we were last season. In some situations, even better.
“Everybody is in the right position. Everybody knows where his mates are.
“We cannot forget Brighton beat United and they played so good at Anfield, they had chances to take a point, so that team is a serious team.
“That is why I am so pleased and the way we attack, we attack. That is a dream for us.
“We drop points in Wolves but in general, all the performance was quite good but it is just in September, two games before the international break will be so important for us. With that spirit, the way we play, everybody is focused.”
Brighton boss Chris Hughton hailed City as outstanding and warned that they will only get better this season.
most read in football
Hughton said: They are a top side. They have probably still not got into their best form yet. Last season, they were outstanding.
“It is very difficult coming here when you are a team like ours in our second season in the Premier League. You can get beat big here.
“It is no coincidence how they won the league last season with probably some of the best football the league has seen. They will certainly go down as one of the best teams.”
Hughton did feel slightly aggrieved at not getting a second half penalty late on with City 2-0 ahead when the ball hit Fernandinho’s arm.
He said: “The things I am disappointed most are the second goal. The first goal, we give it away, they counter attack, that can happen. The second goal, I thought we could have stopped it at source. At 1-0, you never know what could happen. Not that we deserved it.
“I also thought we had a very clear shout for a penalty and some referees, this weekend or next or the one after, will give that.”