FOOTBALL UPDATE

Pep Guardiola's side saw their unbeaten start to the league season come to an end as Liverpool's 4-3 victory inflicted City's first top-flight loss in 30 matches dating back to April. Manchester City had arrived on Merseyside with pundits predicting they would go through the entire season without defeat, but instead they were blown away by Liverpool, who raced into a 4-1 lead before conceding twice in the final moments. Otamendi was part of City's defensive meltdown as they failed to deal with Liverpool's pace and movement. But the Argentina centre-back is confident City, who hold a 12-point lead over second placed Manchester United, will put that behind them and get back on track when Newcastle visit Eastlands on Saturday. "The season is going really well and we want to keep going in that way," Otamendi said. "We are very focused on every single game, and afterwards we try to recover in the best way we can and be focused for the next. ...

Guardiola is pleased to see the high-possession, high-pressing and high-intensity approach he espouses has found popularity elsewhere in the Premier League, complimenting both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur on the way they play. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss saw his style questioned as he struggled to make an early impact at the Etihad Stadium, suffering the first trophyless season of his coaching career last term as City finished third in the table. The transformation this season has been remarkable, with City having dropped just four points in 22 league matches as they remain in contention for an unprecedented trophy quadruple. Having faced suggestions his style could not work in England, Guardiola is delighted to have proved his critics wrong, adding he loves to see other teams playing his way. "I like that, because more than a manager, I'm a fan. When I have to choose, those are the type of teams I like to watch," he said. "Barcelona, ...

Kevin De Bruyne was carried off on a stretcher late in Manchester City's 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, with Gabriel Jesus also leaving the pitch injured and in tears, Pep Guardiola later confirming the Brazilian would be out for one or two months. Belgium international De Bruyne, who has been instrumental to City's success this season, suffered the injury after a collision with Palace's Jason Puncheon in stoppage time at Selhurst Park.Earlier in the match, Jesus landed awkwardly, and had to be withdrawn.    He made his way to the dressing room in tears, consoled by City's medical staff."Jesus will be out for one or two months," Guardiola said to reporters in his post-match press conference."The second half was a little better than the first, but we had some small problems and in the end, Ederson helped us get a point."