Manchester City's faltering Premier League title hopes suffered a potential knockout blow on Sunday when Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners in an eagerly awaited Anfield clash.
Pep Guardiola's side were second best throughout and have dropped to fifth ahead of the midweek home date with Nottingham Forest.
The City chief was able to welcome Jeremy Doku back to the squad and Ruben Dias back to the starting line-up, while Kevin De Bruyne again came off the bench to earn valuable minutes in his return to fitness.
But City remain without a quartet of first team players with their issues in midfield exacerbated by those on the sidelines.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk