The defending Premier League champions have been hit by injury problems and poor form and are 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Manchester City need to invest during the January transfer window due to injury problems and instability in the Premier League, manager Pep Guardiola said, admitting that ruling out signings in the summer could be a mistake.

“In the summer, the club looked at (signings) and I said: ‘No, I don’t want to sign any players,’ Guardiola told reporters on Monday.

“I relied a lot on these guys and thought I could do it again. But after the injury, maybe we should.”

City are in sixth place after six league defeats and 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and their title defense looks to be over.

Guardiola’s side are missing Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri, who ruptured knee ligaments in September, and defenders John Stones and Ruben Dias also injured.

City have not made a major signing in January since signing Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for $69.67 million in 2018.

Guardiola has been unable to confirm whether a deal has been reached to bring in Lens defender Abdelkodil Kusanov.

“The club hasn’t announced anything. I don’t know,” he said.

“Rhodri is out of the question but I want the others (injured players) back. If that happens I won’t be in the transfer window this season. Absolutely not.

“We wouldn’t be in the position we are in now, but we have struggled all season. It’s not just Rodri, there are a lot of problems with our back four. That’s why the club is considering us for a possible move.”

After Manchester City’s 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City on Saturday, Guardiola revealed Walker had asked to leave the club, but the manager gave no update on the situation and the right-back could feature in the Brentford squad. middle.

“No news. I won’t add anything and there won’t be any more news. I only have Brentford in my mind,” Guardiola said.