Arsenal icon Arsene Wenger believes that the lengthy injury to Aymeric Laporte will be a 'handicap' for Man City when they face Liverpool on Sunday.
Following a wild night in the Champions League, City travel to Anfield at the weekend in a match that could have massive ramifications for the rest of the Premier League season.
It's almost a must win game for the Blues as they will fall nine points behind the league leaders if they are defeated, putting the title firmly in Liverpool's hands.
It's likely they'll go into the blockbuster clash without several key players, however, as they continue to be plagued by injuries.
City lost goalkeeper Ederson at half-time in their match with Atalanta on Wednesday night and Guardiola isn't sure whether the Brazilian will be fit for the game, with his replacement Claudio Bravo not inspiring confidence as he was sent off.
Ederson joins an ever growing injury list which also includes captain David Silva, Rodri, Aleks Zinchenko, Leroy Sane and Laporte.
It's the French centre-back, however, that Wenger feels will be the biggest absence for City when they come up against Liverpool's fearsome front three.
“Well we have seen in recent years that they are very tight games,” the former Arsenal manager told beIN Sports.
“We know Man City will take the game to Liverpool, and that Liverpool will be very dangerous on the counter-attack.
“I personally feel they could not afford to lose Laporte, Manchester City.
“If you look at their results, they still play great football but they are a fractionally a bit more vulnerable defensively. And that could be a big handicap against Liverpool.”
Man City face Liverpool on Sunday, November 10 with kick-off coming at 4:30pm.
