Jamie Carragher sends message to Kalvin Phillips after 'biggest week' at Man City ends in disappointment

Jamie Carragher has urged Kalvin Phillips to impose his personality on the squad during Manchester City training in a bid to break into Pep Guardiola's plans.

The 27-year-old was braced for the biggest week of his career after seeing Rodri sent off against Nottingham Forest last month. The Spanish international was handed a three-game ban for grabbing Morgan Gibbs-White round the throat, seemingly opening up the gap in defensive midfield.

But despite being the only natural replacement, Phillips was not picked to start either Premier League match against Wolves and Arsenal. Guardiola's preference for the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis was another blow for the former Leeds United star's hopes at City, whose minutes will only shrink further upon Rodri's return.

ALSO READ: City's most used players this season speaks volumes about Guardiola's overhaul

ALSO READ: Stones faces City test with England after Guardiola comment

“I just think if I was in that position and a manager wasn’t picking me, I think I’d be treating training like a game,” Carragher told Stick To Football. “Almost every day. I’m not saying he doesn’t (train well). We all give 100% in training.

“Whatever it is, he’s got to make sure he’s in the manager’s face. I had situations at Liverpool where it felt like every season I was getting replaced by a new player coming in my position. I’d be like a lunatic every day thinking ‘I’ve got to be better than him’.

“My point is, make sure you’re noticed every day, whether it’s your voice, you’re being loud, you’re leaving a tackle in on someone, you’re going to speak to the manager ‘OK I don’t understand the position, explain it to me’.”

Phillips has joined up with the England squad for international duty over