Pep Guardiola confirms double Man City injury blow after losing ground to Liverpool

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that as was knocked off top spot in the by .

The reigning champion , where a goal in each half from the host also ended its 32-game unbeaten run in the top flight.

The result allowed Liverpool seeing the Reds also move two points clear of their biggest title rivals ahead of next weekend's clash with .

Ahead of today's clash on the south coast, however, revealed a major injury setback for his side after Stones and Dias became the latest players to enter the treatment room, joining the likes of Jack Grealish, Rodri and Oscar Bobb.

In his interview ahead of City's trip to , 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 for the visitors.

Things could still get worse for the Spaniard, however, with top scorer 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. also sees them move seven points ahead of the Gunners at this early stage of the season.