“The big brains of football decided” – Pep Guardiola takes swipe ahead of Liverpool Carabao Cup clash

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has once again voiced his concerns about the football schedule.

The Premier League Champions resume their domestic campaign on Thursday, welcoming Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup.

This Fourth Round tie takes place just days after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with City striker Julian Alvarez having been apart of Argentina’s winning squad.

16 Manchester City first-team players competed in the Middle East, with a handful reaching the latter stages of the tournament.

Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Sergio Gomez all featured during Saturday’s friendly against Girona at the Academy Stadium, as City upped their preparations for the restart of the campaign.

However, Guardiola suggested that only a few first-team stars could be available for Thursday’s game against Liverpool, as the Catalan criticised the domestic schedule.

“At the moment, we have four or five players, and we will have to wait and see how the others come back,” said the Manchester City boss.

“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].

“Some players are coming back now and in the next few days and step by step, they will re-join their team-mates here.

“People are coming back soon. Nathan [Ake], Aymer [Laporte], and Rodri, and later the players from the England and Portugal teams.”

City return to Premier League action on Wednesday 28th December, travelling to Elland Road to face Leeds United.

The Sky Blues suffered defeat to Brentford last month and currently find themselves five points league leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title race.