Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson could be sidelined for up to four weeks through injury which would make him a major doubt to face Arsenal at the end of March, according to reports.
The Brazilian picked up a knee problem after colliding with Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez at Anfield – an incident that saw the home side awarded a penalty in a 1-1 draw.
Ederson attempted to shake off the knock but was unable to continue after receiving further treatment. He was replaced by Stefan Ortega, who went on to help City claim an important point against their title rivals.
Sky Sports News report that City could be without Ederson for up to four weeks while he recovers, making him a major doubt to face Premier League table-toppers Arsenal at the end of the month.
Pep Guardiola admitted in the aftermath of the game that Ederson’s injury “doesn’t look good”, with Ortega now potentially in line to step between the sticks as City look to win a fourth successive Premier League crown.
“If you are on the bench, you always think about what can happen if you go on the pitch,” Ortega told City’s club media after his appearance on Merseyside. “[Against Liverpool] was my time with Eddie’s injury. I was ready like always.
“I do it every day in training and it was about doing the same. I enjoyed every second. It’s nothing new what came – I was ready and prepared.”
Ortega also received praise from centre-back John Stones, with City’s defender remarking after the full-time whistle: “Not easy at all to come in at this stage and how he played, the saves that he pulled off, such intelligent saves.
“A big shoutout to Stefan for coming off the bench at such a difficult place and being ready, which everyone always is.”
City’s next game is against Newcastle United in an FA Cup quarter-final clash at the Etihad – a game Ortega would likely have played in anyway – before a two-week international break precedes Arsenal’s trip to Manchester.
Ederson has started every Premier League game this season bar one, but did come off injured in the early exchanges of City’s 3-2 win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park in January.
