Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo could miss eight weeks with a knee injury, while Erling Haaland remains a possibility for Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match against AEK Athens.
The contrasting updates leave City managing both a lengthy attacking absence and an immediate selection question, with Enzo Maresca also planning changes to manage player workloads.
Fantasy Football Scout’s October 19 report, updated later that day, detailed Maresca’s comments at his Monday pre-match news conference.
Haaland decision still open
Haaland was hobbling late in Saturday’s win over Ipswich Town, but Maresca said the forward had improved Sunday. His availability remained subject to further assessment.
“He can be available. We’ll see,” Maresca said, explaining that City had another training session before deciding how to approach the October 20 match.
Phil Foden is among the alternatives if Haaland cannot play. Maresca noted Foden’s previous experience in the position but stressed that he was not the only option.
The uncertainty over Haaland is separate from City’s broader rotation plans. Maresca said changes against Ipswich were intended to manage workloads and that further changes were needed Tuesday.
Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly also came off against Ipswich. O’Reilly has recurring back issues, though Maresca described the remaining players as “more or less all okay.”
Semenyo recovery points toward December
Semenyo’s injury presents a longer-term problem. He hurt his knee in the Ipswich victory, and Maresca said a scan Sunday showed less damage than initially feared.
“Again, could be eight weeks,” Maresca said. He identified recovery as the immediate priority and suggested the winger could return around December, without setting a firm date.
That distinction matters for City’s selection planning: Semenyo faces an extended absence, while Haaland has not been ruled out of the next match.
Liverpool also weighs fitness and rotation
Liverpool faces similar availability decisions before Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Villarreal. Andoni Iraola indicated that freshness could influence his starting lineup.
Jeremie Frimpong has a new muscle injury, with Iraola saying a return before the November international break would be difficult, though Liverpool would try.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s hamstring problem is a recurrence rather than a new injury. His return against Brentford ended after about half an hour following his Gameweek 6 absence.
Iraola said Szoboszlai had not worsened the injury but needed more patience before returning fully. He did not provide a definite comeback date.
Ryan Gravenberch is available domestically and in Europe after serving a one-match league suspension. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined with their existing injuries.
