Gvardiol makes transfer claim and reveals conversation with Guardiola
Highly rated RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol has admitted that he recently had a conversation with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola - but has warned that he does not expect to leave the German club this summer.
The Croat, who only turned 21 in January, is considered as one of the most promising centre-backs in world football after putting together a string of eye-catching performances this season. As well as excelling for Leipzig this season, making 32 appearances in all competitions, he also starred at the World Cup in Qatar, helping Croatia reach the semi-finals for the second tournament in succession.
He played every minute of their World Cup campaign, starting all seven of their matches, as they finished a respectable third. He scored the opening goal in their 2-1 win over Morocco in the third-place play-off.
Liverpool injury latest
Manchester City will be going in search of their first Premier League win over Liverpool in more than two years when the two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
City, who were beaten 1-0 by the Merseysiders when they met at Anfield back in October, will be determined to pick up where they left off prior to the international break and reduce the gap, even if only temporarily, on leaders Arsenal. The Blues are currently eight points behind the Gunners at the summit, meaning they have work to do if they are to retain their title crown.
Although Liverpool have not offered City the title battle this season that they have in recent years, Guardiola will know that his side will be in for a stern test against last season's FA Cup winners. Liverpool are currently seven points shy of the top four, meaning they have a point to prove if they are to qualify for next season's Champions League.
City have two obvious Foden replacements
City will already have been concerned with the touch-and-go nature of Erling Haaland's groin injury and then they got the news of Phil Foden's appendix surgery on Sunday.
Foden trained with England on Saturday, but was having surgery to remove his appendix on Sunday, which will rule him out for at least the Premier League clash with Liverpool next week. Given that Foden has only just undergone surgery, he could be out for longer and nobody will want to rush his recovery.
With Liverpool up next, City will have to reshuffle their attack, but Pep Guardiola knows he has the consolation of two world-class players waiting in the wings to fill in for Foden.
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