Man City star ‘axed’ by ‘fuming’ Pep Guardiola ‘set for extended absence’ after win over Liverpool

Man City and England star Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set for an ‘extended absence’ after he was ‘axed’ by Pep Guardiola for their win over Liverpool.

The midfielder has been unable to make a significant impact for Man City after he joined the Premier League champions in the summer from Leeds United for around £42m.

He has struggled with a shoulder injury this term so he has barely featured for City.

He recovered from his injury in time to represent England at the World Cup but he was only used sparingly by Gareth Southgate. The Three Lions boss instead preferred Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson.

Phillips is now back with Man City and he will be hoping to help them retain the Premier League title once again.

But he was not involved in City’s 3-2 win over Liverpool on Thursday night in the Carabao Cup round of 16.

Guardiola stated post-match that this was due to Phillips “not being in the right condition to train or play”. 

Football Insider are now reporting that Phillips is ‘set for an extended absence’.

The report notes that Guardiola ‘fumed’ when he was asked about Phillips after the win over Liverpool.

Phillips was ‘axed’ for the cup game and he is ‘not expected to feature for City in their Premier League match against Leeds next Wednesday despite being fully fit’.

They add that the manager’s comments about Phillips ‘strongly suggest he faces a major battle to win back the favour of Guardiola for the second half of the season’.

Without Phillips, Man City played out a thriller against Liverpool. Erling Haaland was quick to get on the scoresheet as he broke the deadlock inside the opening ten minutes.

Liverpool were soon level though as Fabio Carvalho equalised after 20 minutes. Riyad Mahrez fired Man City back in front but the visitors were quick to level the game again as Mo Salah found the net.

City were much the better side over the 90 minutes and Nathan Ake’s header sent them through to the quarter-finals.

Kevin De Bruyne endured a poor World Cup with Belgium but he was in fine form against Liverpool as he provided two assists.

Guardiola was full of praise for the “outstanding” midfielder after the game.

“The first training session he was back I was not here but I was told it was brilliant, the game against Girona was brilliant and today he was outstanding,” Guardiola said.

“He just has to find the right fire inside of himself, just to be a little bit, I would say grumpy or upset to play his best. That is his energy inside of him.

“When this happens, what a player: run, assist to score a goals, he is more than a player.

“I know it is not easy to find every three days this consistency but today he has something inside that says ‘I am going to it, I want to fight’.

“When this happens it is Mr Kevin de Bruyne. What can I say, eight years he has done everything for this club, an absolute legend, he will be remembered forever as one of the greatest, greatest, greatest players of this club.”

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