Pep Guardiola offered an update on Manchester City trio Kyle Walker, John Stones and Nathan Ake following Sunday’s goalless draw with Arsenal.
Walker missed the top of the table clash at the Etihad with John Stones only deemed fit enough for the bench.
Both defenders picked up injuries while on England duty during the international break with Walker suffering a hamstring injury in the defeat to Brazil last Saturday.
Stones, who played the full 90 in that game, started again midweek against Belgium but was forced off after nine minutes with a muscle injury.
Guardiola named a back four of Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol against the Gunners but the Dutchman was forced off after 27 minutes with Rico Lewis onto replace him.
The City boss, who was also still without first choice goalkeeper Ederson on Sunday afternoon, suggested the initial prognosis on Ake’s injury was not good.
Also offering an update on Stones and Walker, Guardiola told Sky Sports: ‘It is what it is,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘[He] played two games this week [including] with the national team in Holland. John will be better soon, I think. Kyle will be longer, now Nathan will be longer.
‘Rico played exceptionally well and we have other guys. We will do it with the guys that we have.’
Liverpool kicked off Sunday’s action with a 2-1 win over Brighton with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah on target after Danny Welbeck’s shock opener.
Victory for the Reds and the goalless draw at the Etihad leaves Liverpool two points clear at the top with nine games of the season remaining, with Arsenal a point ahead of City in second.
Asked if Liverpool are now title favourites, Guardiola said: ‘They are in first position. They are top of the league so that is how it is.
‘There are still nine games to go so we will see what happens.’
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