Liverpool injury news: Mamadou Sakho doubtful for the Reds' clash against Manchester City

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is reportedly a doubt for the Reds' clash against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

According to Sky Sports, the former Paris Saint-Germain defender looks set to miss the crucial clash and that he will return to training with the first-team on Saturday, a mere 24 hours before the Premier League champions visit.

This will come as a big blow for Brendan Rodgers, who has been playing Sakho alongside Martin Skrtel and Emre Can as the back three in his new 3-5-2 system. The manager does have a backup in summer signing Dejan Lovren, but the Croatian defender has been woefully out of form since his arrival from St Mary's.

Another option is former City player Kolo Toure, but with an in-form Sergio Aguero leading the visitors' attack, the Reds boss will want his best players on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Sakho, who missed Liverpool's 2-0 win over Southampton last weekend revealed that his tests were positive and confirmed his return to first-team training at the end of the week.

"Good news as following the tests I had at the beginning of the week and after the medical staff's opinion, I can go back to training with the group on Saturday! Meanwhile [sic], I wish good luck to the whole team for tonight!" Sakho tweeted ahead of Liverpool's clash against Besiktas on Thursday night.

Liverpool have since been knocked out of the Europa League by the Turkish club, and now await City, who suffered their own disappointment during the midweek, as they lost to Barcelona in the first leg of the last-16 of the Champions League.

The Reds are in a race for a place in the top four along with Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Southampton and are currently on seventh spot, three points shy of Manchester United, who are on fourth spot.