Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus could return in two to three weeks after receiving treatment on his knee injury in Spain, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.
The 20-year-old, who has scored eight Premier League goals this season, suffered knee ligament damage in the goalless draw with Crystal Palace as City’s 18-match winning run came to an end on December 31.
It was feared that Jesus could face up to two months on the side-lines but after a treatment session in Barcelona on Thursday, Guardiola told reporters on Friday that he hoped Jesus can play a part in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Basel on February 13.
British media reports have linked league leaders City with a January transfer move for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.
Guardiola, however, refused to discuss speculation surrounding the 29-year-old Chile international and said his focus remains on City’s trip to fourth-placed Liverpool.
He said the quality of Sanchez is well known but he would not be drawn to talk about the player and wanted to focus on Liverpool instead.
City is one of the teams that have historically found it difficult to win at Anfield, last time in the top-flight being in 2003.
Sergio Aguero has never scored at Anfield and Guardiola said perhaps this would be the match to overturn that statistic.
City are still unbeaten in domestic competition this season, while Liverpool are unbeaten in 14 league home matches against Manchester City, winning the last four in a row.
