Manchester City midfielder David Silva ruled out of Liverpool clash?

Manchester City midfielder David Silva is unlikely to feature against Liverpool next weekend, according to manager Pep Guardiola.

Silva needed to be withdrawn at half time of Saturday's 2-1 victory over Southampton, with it being suggested that the club captain suffered a muscular injury.

While City are yet to reveal a recovery time, Guardiola feels that the Spaniard will be absent until after the international break.

The City boss is quoted by The Mirror as saying: "I don't think so. I didn't speak with the doctor, but when he has a muscular problem and cannot play more minutes, it's because he has something.

"When it's a muscular problem, it's always a minimum of 10 to 12 days. Five minutes before the first half ended, he told me he had a muscular problem."

Silva will also miss Wednesday evening's Champions League meeting with Atalanta BC in Italy.