Pep Guardiola has blamed Manchester City’s problems on the fitness issues of four of his key players after watching his team get battered. Tottenham at the Etihad. Just two days after confirming he had agreed to extend his contract with the club until 2027, the Spaniard saw his side beaten 4-0, a fifth defeat in a row.

This means that if Liverpool beat Southampton tomorrow, City will be eight points clear at the top of the table. Premier League ahead of a trip to Anfield next week.

And then he cited Rodri’s long-term absence, as well as recent injuries to John Stones, Jack Grealish and Kevin de Bruyneas the main reason for their shape.

“Of course Rodri is important, but we knew that for many months. But the Stones can only play 45 minutes. Jack has been injured several times. Kevin, two months and five months.”

England defender Stones returned to the starting XI, but after the home defense was broken down in the opening 45 minutes, he was replaced at the break by Nathan Ake. De Bruyne and Grealish, meanwhile, were both late substitutes.

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