Pep Guardiola unsure if Man City can turn things around amid Liverpool Europa League comparison

If Pep Guardiola didn't agree with Bernardo Silva that Manchester City are in a 'dark place' after a third defeat in a row, maybe four has changed his mind.

Guardiola usually dreads the international break because it disrupts rhythm and adds to the chance of injuries to his players. This one can't have come quickly enough. "I think everyone needs it. Clean our heads will be good for all of us," he said.

City are in unchartered waters, and this group of serial winners are suddenly losing without any idea of turning things around. Guardiola won't make excuses, yet he also knows how much things will be different when he has a full squad available.

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"Ruben will come back, hopefully John Stones come back and hopefully the other players," he said. "Jeremy Doku has some muscular problems in his quads. Doesn't feel good, he cannot run at full speed."

He had previously name-checked Jack Grealish as another 'injured' player, and conceded that Nathan Ake and Manu Akanji were not fit enough to play at Brighton. Rodri and Oscar Bobb are long-term issues while Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker are also not fully fit. Bring all those names back into a matchday squad and City wouldn't have lost the games they have in the last 11 days.

But they have, and Guardiola conceded that 'maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserve it.' Defeatist - not quite. He is simply trying to temper expectations and remind everyone that City's successes have been out of the ordinary rather than something that is to be expected.