Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany a major doubt for Liverpool clash after picking up fresh calf injury

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Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is a major doubt for Saturday's clash against Liverpool with a calf injury.

Sportsmail understands the central defender did not train at the City Football Academy on Thursday after picking up a problem while away on international duty with Belgium.

Kompany felt a knock during victory against Gibraltar but played the full 90 minutes and then rested for the World Cup qualifier with Greece.

Vincent Kompany could be facing another spell on the sidelines after picking up a calf injury

Manchester City players trained without their captain ahead of Saturday's tie with Liverpool

The Manchester City squad appeared in good spirits as they prepare for the title clash

Ilkay Gundogan continues to work his way back to full fitness following a serious knee injury

It is Kompany’s 15th calf issue in five years and he has taken special measures in a bid to prevent further problems. 

He took to wearing matchday socks halfway down his calf to ‘relieve some pressure’ and even changed his boot manufacturer.

Pep Guardiola is acutely aware that his fitness needs continuously managing, particularly given their hectic schedule, with Liverpool the first of seven games before October.

Pep Guardiola smiles as he watches his Manchester City squad perform in training

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva share a joke as training continues

Manchester City's Phil Foden (right) joins the senior side in training during a Thursday session

He will be assessed on Friday but at this stage is unlikely to be risked. His potential absence would leave Guardiola with just Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones and Eliaquim Mangala - who City had put up for sale - as senior options.

Guardiola’s medical staff spent much of last year trying to find the root of Kompany’s injury concerns and the 31-year-old has been urged to vocalise any difficulties.

He enjoyed his first consistent run of games for more than 12 months at the end of Guardiola’s first season in charge and started each of the first three Premier League matches of this campaign before this week’s set back.

Meanwhile, City have sent Javier Tebas a legal letter asking the La Liga president to desist after he accused them of ‘cooking the books’ in loaning five players to Girona, part-owned by the City Football Group. 

Manchester City's Leroy Sane walks to training at Manchester City Football Academy

Sergio Aguero spots the photographer as he makes his way onto the training pitch