has been absent from the Reds' last two games after picking up a knock in the Merseyside derby at Everton.

On the No.18's availability, Slot said during his pre-match press conference on Thursday: "I hope [he's available], I'm not 100 per cent sure. He hasn't trained with the team yet. Maybe he does a bit today. I don't know exactly. It will be a close call."

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Haaland, meanwhile,was an unused substitute in City's Champions League defeat by Real Madrid on Wednesday night and will have his readiness for the Etihad Stadium clash checked.

Pep Guardiola told reporters on Friday: "[I] don't know yet. Tomorrow we will know it. I don't know yet."

Asked if he was hopeful over Haaland's inclusion, Guardiola said: "Yeah, maybe. But I don't know yet because he didn't train today and [not] until tomorrow he will test, I guess. But I don't know.

"It's better to have Erling on the pitch. Everybody is responsible for the good things and bad things for the team but obviously with Erling we are better."

Liverpool's is set to miss the fixture following his withdrawal in the second half at Aston Villa in midweek.

Slot said: "I would be completely surprised if he's involved in the Sunday game, or the Wednesday game against Newcastle. You can assume that's not going to happen."

Having undergone surgery to fix a hamstring injury, is definitely ruled out. "He's out for a long time," explained the Reds head coach. "He will be back maybe just before the end of the season."

City will not be able to call upon defenders and , with the latter picking up a muscle problem in Madrid.

"He's injured. [It's] a difficult one," Guardiola revealed. "[In] the next hours, days we'll know if he needs surgery or not. It's the front, his thigh."

Long-term absentees and remain sidelined for the hosts.

On facing Slot and Liverpool, Guardiola said: "[The] consistency is similar to Jürgen [Klopp]. They deserve to be up there fighting with Arsenal for the title.

"[They are a] top team in many aspects. [They've] lost just one game in the Premier League. That's why it is a good test for us."

Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (February 19): Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Gonzalez, Gundogan, Foden, Savinho, Silva, Marmoush.

Villa 2-2 Liverpool (February 19): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Salah, Szoboszlai, Jota.

This article has been automatically translated and, while all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors in translation are possible. Please refer to the original English-language version of the article for the official version.