Pep Guardiola knows that he can't have any of that in time for Sunday, and there is little chance of overtired legs recovering from the heavy workloads that have been forced upon the small group of players that have avoided injuries this season. What he can do is try to change the mindset to offset those factors.

Pep Guardiola knows that everyone outside Manchester City is revelling in the champions' demise - but he is ready to rip up his squad and rebuild

In the last two summers, City have postponed much of the rebuild; two of the six recruits in that time are now in the band of 30-somethings. And while Guardiola said it was harder to be stable defensively without a quartet of centre backs and two holding midfielders, arguably he only has one: Mateo Kovacic does not covet that role.

Pep Guardiola has said he has to "prove himself" all over again after Manchester City's six-game winless run and added the only reason there are not more questions about whether he should be sacked is because he's won six Premier League titles.

Manchester City remains without long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb, while Mateo Kovacic will also be missing and two more players are doubtful

Arne Slot's Liverpool have been rampant so far this season. Every rival fan's expectation that Liverpool would be lost without Jurgen Klopp has been emphatically smashed, as the Reds lead the way in both the Champions League and the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola has insisted Manchester City 'will be back' as they prepare to face Liverpool in Sunday's blockbuster Premier League clash at Anfield. Despite sitting second in the table, it has been a difficult season for the reigning champions so far.