Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will be without defender Martin Skrtel for months after scans on Monday revealed he has suffered posterior cruciate ligament damage in his right knee.
"Martin underwent a scan this morning which showed damage to the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee,'' club spokesman Ian Cotton told the club's official website.
"He will see a specialist tomorrow to assess the extent of the injury and will then have an accurate idea of the timescales involved before he is back playing again.''
The 23-year-old has started every League and European match since being left out of the opener against Sunderland in August and has become an integral part of a settled defence which, until yesterday, has not conceded a goal away from Anfield all season.
Skrtel's injury is likely to give Danish defender Dan Agger the chance to stake his claim for a place in the side. Agger has failed to win back his place in the side since suffering a metatarsal injury at the start of last season.
Benitez, meanwhile, has revealed a simple formula to success as his side's bid to win their first Premier League title gathered momentum.
The Reds have not won the domestic title since since 1990 but a rousing 3-2 victory at City - where they came back from 2-0 down - was a further indication of their improvement and willingness to dig in when needed.
"We have a clear idea of what we have to do,'' Benitez said. "We have to go one game at a time. This was another great win and three points.
"The main thing from my point of view is the belief of the players.''
