Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson a doubt for crunch clash with Liverpool

Brazilian goalkeeper picks up injury in Euro draw with Atalanta, which also saw his replacement Bravo sent-off and defender Walker take over in goal

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, left, with Gabriel Jesus during Manchester City's Champions League draw at Atalanta on Wednesday. AP

Kyle Walker of Manchester City applauds the fans after the match. Getty

Atalanta's Josip Ilicic is fouled by Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. EPA

Raheem Sterling scores for Manchester City. AP

Raheem Sterling celebrates his goal. Reuters

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates his goal. AP

Kyle Walker is congratulated by Pep Guardiola after the match. Getty

Kyle Walker is goal for Manchester City. EPA

Atalanta's Mario Pasalic celebrates after scoring. EPA

Atalanta's Jose Palomino, left, and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City. EPA

Kyle Walker of Manchester City with teammates after the match. Getty

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Reuters

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker prepares to come on to the pitch as a goalkeeper. Reuters

Referee Aleksei Kulbakov sneds off City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. AFP

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling goes close to scoring against Atalanta. AFP

Mario Pasalic scores for Atalanta. AFP

Atalanta's Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic, right, celebrates after scoring. AFP

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus misses a penalty. AP

Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City reacts after missing his penalty. Getty

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne on the attack. AFP

Atalanta fans. AFP

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is a doubt for Sunday's crunch clash with Liverpool after suffering a thigh injury in Wednesday's Champions League tie against Atalanta.

The Brazilian was replaced at half-time at the San Siro as a precaution after feeling uncomfortable in the closing stages of the first period of the 1-1 draw.

To compound matters his obvious replacement for the top-of-the-table Premier League encounter at Anfield, Claudio Bravo, would hardly go into the game with confidence after being sent off late on in Milan.

City are already without defenders Aymeric Laporte and Oleksandr Zinchenko, while David Silva is also struggling with a thigh problem ahead of the weekend.

Asked about Ederson's injury, Guardiola said: "It's a muscular problem, not big, but it was a risk. He didn't feel comfortable and that's why we decided to make a substitution.

"Honestly, right now, I don't know [how bad it is]. He's strong and we'll try with him, but we won't take a risk. We'll see tomorrow."

Bravo was sent off for bringing down Josip Ilicic as Atalanta, who had previously not registered a point in Group C, chased a surprise late winner.

Guardiola has every confidence Bravo would be able to perform at Anfield in the Premier League if required.

"He's ready to play on Sunday," Guardiola said. "He's an incredible professional."

City are already likely to be without playmaker Silva, who missed the trip to Italy with a muscular problem. City trail Liverpool by six points heading into Sunday's game.

In terms of Europe, the draw meant City missed their first chance secure qualification for the last 16.

Raheem Sterling struck early but Gabriel Jesus missed a penalty in a frantic end to the first half in which City were awarded another spot-kick, only for the VAR to change it to a free-kick.

City were stung when Chelsea loanee Mario Pasalic levelled with a bullet header and in the end they were grateful to hang on for a draw with Kyle Walker in goal.

Guardiola said: "It's the Champions League and it's 90 minutes. Show me a team who controls for 90 minutes.

"We made an incredible first half against a tough team but in this competition you have to take chances.

"We have to take hats off to Atalanta. We'd seen them and knew what a good side they are. Ask Italian teams how hard it is.

"Four points [against them] is a big success with the injuries and difficulties. We played well and then dug deep."

Atalanta were thrashed 5-1 by City a fortnight ago and their manager Gian Piero Gasperini was pleased with their response.

"We earned a great point," he said. "We learned our lesson from the first match.

"The aim was to qualify but we can at least try to get Europa League football.

"It is very tough to cause problems for a team like Manchester City as we did tonight.

"We struggled until they missed the penalty. That was the turning point. In the second period our attitude changed and we produced a great performance.

"In the end we were looking to win it."