Pep Guardiola hits out at Kalvin Phillips over fitness concerns

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola revealed to reporters that midfielder Kalvin Phillips did not feature against Liverpool on Thursday as he returned to the club overweight.

The 27-year-old was part of England’s World Cup squad, having previously been a doubt for the tournament due to a shoulder injury, but hardly featured in the Three Lions’ five games in Qatar.

With no fresh injury concerns, the former Leeds midfielder was expected to return to action in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup clash against the Reds, but was not in the squad at all as City ran out 3-2 winners.

Guardiola had revealed Phillips was unfit to play a part in the match but, initially, there was no further explanation, but the boss has now clarified that Phillips’ absence was nothing to do with his injury problems.

“He’s not injured – he arrived [back at Man City] overweight. I don’t know [why]. He didn’t arrive in the condition to do training sessions and to play,” a frustrated Guardiola admitted to reporters.

Just when Phillips will return to training is unclear, but his absence leaves Guardiola with just Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan as possible options for the deeper midfield role in City’s side.

Young Alex Robertson featured on the bench in the Carabao Cup game against Liverpool in Phillips’ absence.