Pep Guardiola told biggest problem in Man City dressing room ahead of Liverpool fixture

Manchester City are currently stuck in a rut as many of their players are simply not fit enough to do Pep Guardiola's bidding, according to Danny Murphy.

City's winless run was extended to six games on Tuesday after surrendering an impressive 3-0 lead at home to Feyenoord. Two goals from Erling Haaland and one from Ilkay Gundogan had them in control before they self-destructed, conceding three times in the final 15 minutes to draw 3-3 in the Champions League.

The match was full of worrying performances, with the normally reliable Ederson making silly mistakes and players failing to concentrate or come back to defend. City now face title rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, with their opponents in completely contrasting form after beating Real Madrid.

Guardiola has a lot to do in the coming days, knowing that a win for Liverpool this weekend would increase their lead over City at the top of the Premier League to 11 points. City have been hampered by injuries of late and former Liverpool midfielder Murphy believes their lack of physicality is a bigger problem than any mental issue.

Asked on the BBC's Champions League highlights program if City's confidence had disappeared, Murphy said: “It can happen to a team. It starts with a few individuals and spreads a bit. But I do think their bigger problem isn't so much the self-confidence, but the physicality of it. They don't have that same tenacity that we talk about in the press, that energy, that ruthlessness that we've seen City teams have.

“And I'm not saying it's all about their lack of effort. It's more that some of them are not physically fit because they have been away for a while and some have just stopped. And if you are not physically involved, especially in top football, you will be discovered.”

Another former Premier League midfielder, Thomas Hitzlsperger, believes Guardiola's playing style is not helping matters. “That's been Pep's game all along: press high, win the ball back and then have control,” he said.

“I don't think they are able to completely change their style. I think this is the biggest job he has right now. It's their principle: stay high and close the space in front of them (the opponent), just make sure you win the ball back. In this match they are 3-0 up and they think 'tonight is the night we can change that bad form and results', but this doesn't happen either.”

The stress of the job appeared to hit Guardiola on Tuesday, with a cut on his nose and scratches on his head drawing attention. He was forced to release a statement explaining himself after being criticized for appearing to make light of self-harm.