Man City

City continued our preparation for the return of domestic football with a fine 2-0 friendly win over Girona at the Academy Stadium.

[Gundogan](https://www.mancity.com/players/ilkay-gundogan) (c) (Robertson 78'), [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) (McDonald 80'), [Palmer](https://www.mancity.com/players/cole-palmer), [Mahrez](https://www.mancity.com/players/riyad-mahrez), Rogers (Borges 51'), Haaland (Bobb 59') [Guardiola](https://www.mancity.com/players/pep-guardiola) said. [CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL GUARDIOLA INTERVIEW](https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/pep-guardiola-girona-reaction-63806875) [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) an ideal return from the World Cup. [Shea Charles](https://www.mancity.com/players/shea-charles)’ pass to [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne). [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) weaved into the box, slid the ball back to Cole [Palmer](https://www.mancity.com/players/cole-palmer) whose miscued effort fell to [Mahrez](https://www.mancity.com/players/riyad-mahrez), whose powerful shot flew just wide of the near post. [Garcia](https://www.mancity.com/players/eric-garcia) (Vallejo 73'), Romeu, Couto (Roca 73'), Bueno, Nunez [Gundogan](https://www.mancity.com/players/ilkay-gundogan) and De Buryne, the friendly re-acclimatised them to the cold British weather, after competing at the World Cup in Qatar. [Pep Guardiola](https://www.mancity.com/players/pep-guardiola)'s side remained unchanged after the interval but it was the visitors who continued to press. [Mahrez](https://www.mancity.com/players/riyad-mahrez), before the winger then returned the favour by sliding the midfielder into the box who teed up Haaland to tap home. [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) gave supporters a great homecoming gift by netting five minutes into his return from the World Cup, before the classy midfielder set-up [Erling Haaland](https://www.mancity.com/players/erling-haaland)’s strike. [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) gave City the perfect start in the fifth minute when he intercepted a sloppy pass out of defence from Paulo Gazzaniga to coolly slot past the Fulham loanee from 12-yards.

Manchester City are back in match action for the first time in more than a month as they take on Spanish side Girona in a friendly at the Academy Stadium.

every time a City player takes a touch inside the Girona half. A nervy moment for the goalkeeper. Both centre-backs, Shea Charles and Jadel Katongo, have also looked assured on the ball. You can see the City DNA already ingrained on some of these youngsters. The Blues are back. He plays Haaland through on goal but the striker is flagged offside. City get away with one as they're caught on the break. Both sides are still having a go but the match is definitely winding down now. Oh to be young and full of optimism. The winger's effort is blocked, but that move was all about Kev. It's all over and City have won 2-0. [City](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc) 's World Cup contingent, only Julian Alvarez remains in Qatar with him expected to start against France in the final on Sunday.

Erling Haaland has returned to action and already sent a message to Manchester City's Premier League rivals with a goal in a friendly win over Girona.

[Man City](https://talksport.com/sport/football/team/113098/manchester-city/) named a strong side to face Girona – alongside the aforementioned goalscoring duo, Ilkay Gundogan also started the fixture, hoping to put Germany’s disappointment in Qatar behind him. 18+ Opt in, bet £10+ at odds 2.00+, in 7 days. 7 day bonuses expiry. [big lead at the top of the Golden Boot rankings](https://talksport.com/football/1213759/silver-boot-callum-wilson-joke-golden-boot-erling-haaland/), having netted 18 goals in just 13 games to start the season. Beyond the Premier League, Manchester City are still active in all four competitions and will be hoping to bring plenty of silverware to the Etihad Stadium come the end of the season. [Haaland will have been itching to get back on the pitch](https://talksport.com/football/1278251/lionel-messi-kylian-mbappe-world-cup-final-erling-haaland-manchester-city/) having been out of action for over five weeks as Norway failed to qualify for the World Cup, with most of his club teammates going to Qatar without him.

Manchester City eased to a comfortable 2-0 win in their winter friendly on Saturday thanks to goals from two of their biggest stars.

It's a good game to fill in the break. 'It's going to be a really good game against Liverpool. [Manchester City](/sport/teampages/manchester-city.html) eased to a comfortable 2-0 win in their winter friendly on Saturday thanks to goals from two of their biggest stars.

Darwin Nunez scored twice off the bench as Liverpool beat AC Milan 4-1 in their final friendly in Dubai, with hopes to start him against Man City.

But it’s much more important that he can start next week. “Could he have started? [Man City](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/man-city) in the Carabao Cup and [Aston Villa](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/aston-villa/) in the [Premier League](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/premier-league). [Stefan Bajcetic](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/stefan-bajcetic/) and [Bobby Clark](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/bobby-clark/) could be in contention, but given the unique nature of this year’s festive fixtures, it seems more likely that the strongest possible side will line up at the Etihad. [doubts](https://www.thisisanfield.com/2022/12/i-dont-think-well-try-that-klopp-hints-at-van-dijk-absence-for-city-clash/) over [Virgil van Dijk](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/virgil-van-dijk/)‘s involvement in the fourth-round tie at [Man City](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/man-city) on Thursday night, speaking before the friendly win, Klopp explained the plan to reintegrate Nunez. [Darwin Nunez](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/darwin-nunez/) scored twice off the bench as Liverpool beat AC Milan 4-1 in their final friendly in Dubai, with hopes to start him against [Man City](https://www.thisisanfield.com/liverpool-fc/man-city).

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ruled Virgil van Dijk out of the club's Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Manchester City next week, but could play ...

Then we will make the decision obviously on Wednesday who can play on Thursday. Hendo we will see, Trent we will see,” Klopp explained. Alexander-Arnold played just 33 minutes in the whole tournament, all of which came against Wales.

Pep Guardiola admits he has no idea of who might be available for next Thursday's Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Liverpool.

[Gundogan](https://www.mancity.com/players/ilkay-gundogan) and Kevin [De Bruyne](https://www.mancity.com/players/kevin-de-bruyne) – who returned after Germany and Belgium’s first phase exits – took part in the 2-0 friendly win over Girona. “He is going to play the final, have a few days’ rest and then come back to us.” “At the moment, we have four or five players, and we will have to wait and see how the others come back,” said

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will resume domestic commitments with an EFL Cup clash against Liverpool next week, a matter of days after the World Cup ...

Their involvement in the Qatar tournament will have ensured their remain match fit, but English football is entering its notorious Christmas period, which will see City play five times in 17 days. Guardiola and Klopp were players before turning their hands to coaching and the Catalan had joked that he will roll back the years to help with his selection problems. But we just don’t have players because the big brains of football decided this schedule and we are going to play this game (against Liverpool). As a result, Guardiola is struggling to pick a competitive side with a place in the last eight of the EFL Cup at stake. There was always concern this season about the scheduling of the English football calendar, which had to accommodate the first-ever winter World Cup. Players will come back, but I don't know in what condition." De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan were the only players to see their team exit in the group stage, hence their early return. The English champions, who won the [EFL Cup](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/efl-cup) for four straight years until they were dethroned last term, will welcome a Reds team who arrive as holders. Nathan [Ake], Aymer [Laporte], and Rodri, and later the players from the England and Portugal teams.” "I don't know how many players we will have. People are coming back soon. [Manchester City](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc) boss has been watching the bulk of his squad at the [World Cup](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/world-cup-2022?service=responsive) in [Qatar](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/qatar) over the past month and very few have returned thus far.

Nathan Ake, Aymeric Laporte and Rodri are expected to return to City training early in the week and could feature in the squad for the cup clash against ...

It was good minutes for all of them.' Despite early group stage exits with Germany and Belgium, both Gundogan and De Bruyne resumed training inside a fortnight. - Manchester City play Liverpool in the EFL Cup just days after the World Cup final

Man City take on Liverpool in the League Cup on Thursday and manager Pep Guardiola is unsure what kind of team he will be able to put out.

The Premier League champions are due to play three games before the turn of the year. "We just don’t have players because the big brains of football decided this schedule and we are going to play this game [against Liverpool]. The City boss will be short of options for the fixture as 14 of his players are yet to return to training following their exploits at World Cup 2022.

Man City take on Liverpool in the League Cup on Thursday and manager Pep Guardiola is unsure what kind of team he will be able to put out.

The Premier League champions are due to play three games before the turn of the year. "We just don’t have players because the big brains of football decided this schedule and we are going to play this game [against Liverpool]. The City boss will be short of options for the fixture as 14 of his players are yet to return to training following their exploits at World Cup 2022.

Pep Guardiola has hit out at FIFA due to the shortage of players at Manchester City's disposal for Thursday's Carabao Cup tie with Liverpool.

Discussing Alvarez's trip to the final with Argentina, Guardiola added: "We are all so happy for him, all of us. "People are coming back soon. "At the moment, we have four or five players, and we will have to wait and see how the others come back," he told City's website.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Virgil van Dijk is unlikely to feature against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup clash next week. Promoted ...

If the World Cup was supposed to provide a sanctuary, a chance to reset, then it all went badly wrong. He has bubbled away for the Blues without ever quite hitting top form in the first 22 games of a disrupted campaign. Of that, there is no doubt. The Manchester City playmaker is a heart-on-the-sleeve player but so far this season frustration has been his overwhelming feeling. The Dutchman has come up against the Blues on 16 occasions in his career, winning seven times. [Read the full story here.](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/klopp-van-dijk-man-city-25776040)

Liverpool know a thing or two about harsh assessments of full-backs. Viewed through the same lens, a Man City transfer 'target' must make FSG feel pretty ...

[Trent Alexander-Arnold](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/liverpool-gareth-southgate-england-call-25738613) questioned for his defensive work, it is important that others are held to the same standards. The Scotland international captain has been one of Klopp's most consistent players since FSG signed him from Hull for £8m (€9m/$10m) in 2017, and is now regarded as one of the most reliable options in Europe. But given that he would be coming up against [Mohamed Salah](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/liverpool-milan-mohamed-salah-winners-25773809), Jürgen Klopp will have no concerns about any potential arrival at the Etihad Stadium. [Bukayo Saka](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/liverpool-jurgen-klopp-bukayo-saka-25686308) — and that will undoubtedly put question marks over whether he could be consistent in the Premier League. Using the brutal Alexander-Arnold benchmark, it seems likely that the left-back will come up short. He may have scored during France's 2-0 victory over Morocco to help secure progress to the World Cup final, but Hernández has left a lot to be desired in terms of his defensive work across the tournament. [Lionel Messi](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/lionel-messi-liverpool-transfer-klopp-25747303) looks to cement his own legend with success in Sunday's final, the Argentina star could benefit from a match-up that will be Hernández's toughest test yet — and one that will be decisive in whether [Ibrahima Konaté](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/liverpool-ibrahima-konate-jurgen-klopp-25775852) returns to Merseyside as a World Cup winner. That's an impressive goal contribution rate from the wing-back position, but he looks to be some way off the consistency that Liverpool enjoy with Andy Robertson. He replaced his stricken brother in the opener against Australia, and has since been asked to play all but one game. In an ever-changing football climate that can protect players who have enjoyed success against lesser opposition, many can be untested until they are called to the big stage. [Kostas Tsimikas](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/harvey-elliott-liverpool-dua-lipa-25597665), it is unlikely that a switch to the Premier League by Hernández would represent a power shift of any kind towards Manchester City. [Sign up to the Liverpool.com newsletter here — it only takes a few seconds!](https://www.liverpool.com/newsletter-preference-centre/)

Manchester City and Liverpool meet in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night as they battle for a place in the quarter-finals.

After the Liverpool Carabao Cup tie, the Blues travel to Leeds United on Wednesday, December 28 before hosting Everton on New Year's Eve. "Step by step they will rejoin the people here. "We are in a difficult [position]. Four or five players [are here] so we have to see how and when they [all] come back. [City's](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc) schedule is hectic to say the least over the festive period. [City's](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc) players who made it to the knockout stages of the Qatar tournament - including those who featured for the likes of England, Brazil, Portugal and the Netherlands - are currently unavailable.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is a worried man. Ahead of City's Carabao Cup tie against rivals Liverpool, Guardiola is worried that he does not have ...

However, Guardiola's worry ahead of a crucial knockout match is not without any substance. However, with this year's host being Qatar, the dates were pushed midway into the season to avoid the scorching middle-east heat. Without naming FIFA or the organising body of the league cup, Pep took a dig at both of them for making such a congested schedule