Pep Guardiola has confirmed that defenders John Stones and Ruben Dias will be out for a "long time"
The reigning champion fell to its first defeat of the season with Saturday's 2-1 loss to Bournemouth
The result allowed Liverpool to move back to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Brighton
the Reds move two points clear of their biggest title rivals ahead of next weekend's clash with Aston Villa.
Ahead of today's clash on the south coast, however, Guardiola revealed a major injury setback for his side after Stones and Dias became the latest players to enter the treatment room
In his interview ahead of City's trip to Bournemouth, the Spaniard said: "Ruben Dias and John Stones are ruled out for little bit of long time."
Their absences left Guardiola starting Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake at center-back, with young full-back Rico Lewis the only recognised defender on the bench
Things could still get worse for the Spaniard, however, with top scorer Erling Haaland seen limping around the Vitality Stadium pitch during today's game
The Norwegian appeared to be in some pain as he tried to run off a knock to his foot, clearly looking uncomfortable
But City's latest injury crisis will come as good news for Liverpool, which will fancy its chances against Guardiola's outfit even more when it visits Anfield after the next international break.
For now, however, the Reds have taken full advantage of City's slip up today to go two points clear of it at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle also sees them move seven points ahead of the Gunners at this early stage of the season
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