Liverpool fans are stunned that Pep Guardiola is claiming that his Manchester City side are in an ‘emergency’ because they have ‘few, few, few players’ to pick from because of injuries, COVID or suspension.
Manchester City take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday night, whilst Liverpool will be locking horns with their neighbours in the Merseyside derby.
The likes of Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne are touch a go for the Villa Park visit.
Whilst Ferran Torres and Aymeric Laporte are definite absentees through injury and suspension, respectively.
This isn’t just a big month for the champions, but for Liverpool also because of the hectic festive fixture list coming their way, both on the domestic and European scene.
Ahead of what is a busy December period for those in Manchester, Guardiola told Sky Sports:
“We are in an emergency for the squad. We have few, few, few people. We have to come back.
“I never complain – I trust a lot with all the squad when there is not one player, another one is coming. Sustaining in December, the toughest month of the year, the fact that we are in real trouble because we have few, few players.
“Of course, Kevin (de Bruyne) is back, but he needs time to be fit. Phil (Foden) and Jack (Grealish) are in the same position. Maybe tomorrow they can play, but not a lot of minutes.”
To no one’s surprise, supporters across the country, including their title rivals Liverpool, aren’t exactly filled with sympathy for the Spaniard.
When you spend near-on a billion on a squad, including £100 million on a player they didn’t need in the summer in Grealish, then it’s obvious that those from the outside will be critical of Guardiola having a little moan.
If any squad in England’s top-flight can deal with this festive period, on top of any injuries they suffer, then it’s Man City.
Someone like Laporte might be suspended, but it’s only a small matter of having an England international on the bench in John Stones.
So, whilst Man City have players out for the Villa trip, it’s a bit of an exaggeration to call it an ‘emergency’.
Nonetheless, here is a selection of Liverpool fans reacting to Guardiola’s comments:
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