Manchester City could be without Nico O'Reilly for their Premier League trip to Liverpool on October 11, with the defender set to miss England's UEFA Nations League fixture against the Czech Republic through injury.
Sky Sports News reported on Tuesday morning that O'Reilly will sit out the Three Lions' upcoming match, just days after an error in defence allowed Spain's Alex Baena to score in a 3-2 defeat. The nature and full extent of the problem remain unclear, and England manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to provide an update later on Tuesday. It is not yet certain whether the 21-year-old will formally withdraw from international duty.
For City, the timing is far from ideal. Enzo Maresca's side have begun the 2026/27 Premier League campaign with five wins from five, and a visit to Anfield was already shaping up as the sternest test of that run. O'Reilly has made an impressive start to life under the Italian, building on a 2026/27 season in which he was an ever-present in Pep Guardiola's preferred XI during the Catalan's final year in charge.
The academy graduate also scored twice in City's 2-0 Carabao Cup final win over Premier League champions Arsenal at Wembley in March — a brace that underlined his growing importance to the squad. His absence would leave Maresca weighing up his options at left-back, with Josko Gvardiol the likely deputy. The Croatia international has established himself as a competent option on the flank since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2023.
Maresca and his coaching staff will monitor O'Reilly's situation closely. If the injury proves serious, the defender will be recalled to the City Football Academy for assessment.
City's fixture list offers little breathing room either way. Paris Saint-Germain visit the Etihad Stadium three days after the Liverpool match, meaning any absence could stretch across two significant tests. Before that, Andoni Iraola's side provide the upcoming domestic challenge.
Whether O'Reilly features at Anfield remains to be seen. City would ideally want him available — and the next 48 hours should clarify whether they will have him.