‘Coming back soon’ – Pep Guardiola delivers fitness update ahead of EFL Cup clash

Manchester City lock horns with Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Thursday evening and Pep Guardiola revealed he has a patched-up squad due to players returning late from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He told reporters: “Players are coming back now and in the next few days and step by step, they will re-join their team-mates here. (Nathan) is coming back soon.”

Ake’s Netherlands side crashed out of the World Cup on December 10, so he’s already had more than a week to recover and will have had a 12-day break in between games for club and country.

It remains to be seen who will make the matchday squad against Liverpool, but Guardiola is surely more likely to pick players that have had a longer rest after the tournament.

Ake played every minute of every game for the Netherlands at the World Cup, but he hasn’t always commanded a starting place for City this season.

The 27-year-old made 13 appearances in all competitions before joining up with the national team, featuring in just one of City’s last four Premier League games, but he might get the nod against Liverpool because Guardiola won’t be blessed with depth.

When everyone is fit, Pep will have five central defenders at his disposal, but not every centre-back has had as much rest as Ake.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano says ‘deal agreed’ with Man City over Kayky, medical pending

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