Caoimhin Kelleher has excelled in Alisson's absence from the Liverpool first team, but is he too good to be second-choice goalkeeper at Anfield?

Former Reds stopper David James tells The Football News Show why he feels the Irishman could make a claim to be top of the pecking order, and why Arne Slot could soon be in an awkward situation.

Joleon Lescott
Former Man City defender on BBC Radio 5 Live's Planet Premier League podcast

I think it [confidence] might be their [Man City's] biggest problem because I don't think any of them have been through it.

Regardless of whether they have been through something similar at previous clubs, they definitely haven't been through it at the level they are at now - they are seen as the best team.

So to go through lack of confidence when you are at the top could potentially have a bigger detriment on your performance.

Your confidence is low, you don't feel as quick, you don't feel as strong, you're not showing as much as you want to show. All of a sudden, you are thinking: 'Am I going to control this?'

If you're low on confidence, Anfield is not the place you want to play at. Even when you are high on confidence, one missed control [of the ball] or one bad pass can derail you.

So going there, under the circumstances they are currently under, is probably the hardest thing they will ever have to face.

Listen to Planet Premier League.

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gave a near four-minute answer during his last question of the news conference, speaking about proving himself and rebuilding the team in the coming seasons:

"Of course, I am thinking what I can do to help them but in the long career as a player and a manager you live these situations. When you live it, accept it and challenge it. No complaining, no blaming, no pointing the figure or running from your responsibility. If you don't win, you're in trouble, I know that.

"People rely on me, it is not normal for big clubs to have our results but what you have to do is accept it. The moment I feel I am not positive for the club, another one will come but I want the opportunity, I want the opportunity to try it and I want to rebuild the team in many aspects from now on until the end of the season and the next seasons. I ask for that challenge and this opportunity to do it.

"I know what we need, what we have to do. We don't have the consistency we had right now but which team during 10 years in the world has been consistent, tell me one? They don't exist - not in NBA, tennis, golf. It is not nice to leave it but what do you expect?

"It proves how we are as sportsmen and competitors. It is easiest when you have 10/12 games in a row and everyone is fit and in their prime. I have to prove myself now. I have to find a solution and a way to do it and I am trying every day."

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola on when Manchester City's current run of results becomes a crisis: "It is up to you, whatever you text and write. We are second in the table. I've said many times that maybe we have to live as a club, as a team - live these kind of situations.

"We will be back, I know that. I don't know when, that is the truth.

"You can judge the situation that we are in - when the team has controlled the Premier League for many years - it's normal that the situation happens. It's about how we stand up again and again and again, whatever happens.

"We have done it in the past and hopefully we can start to do it again."

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on whether Liverpool are the best team in Europe right now: "I don't know. They are one of the best. Years ago when they said City were the best team in the world I didn't pay attention for one second."

Manchester City

More from Pep Guardiola on whether the title race would be over for his Manchester City side if they lost at Liverpool on Sunday: "In the situation we are in, it is not realistic to think about big targets. The situation is to think about the next game and getting the momentum to continue and that will come back.

"Even in good situations, thinking about winning the title in November/December was not realistic.

"Liverpool are a team that have lost just one game, they are in such good form and are so powerful in all departments, especially in the boxes.

"I always think about the targets in April/May. It will be more difficult for us if we don't get a result on Sunday but still there are many, many games to play."

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was non-committal on team news.

Asked about the club's current injury situation and whether any players would be returning, he simply replied: "We will see."

More to follow.

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on whether his players suffer with confidence issues: "Yes, of course. I don't know if confidence is the right word but when the dynamics are good, it's always easier.

"You have to accept the situation that we have and we are in right now.

"I have learned all my life to move forward in the good moments and the bad moments. We are in the end of November, Anfield will be the beginning of December so there are many months to play, many good things to play for and you have to learn and learn.

"It's how many times you stand up when again and again you fall."

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked if defeat at Liverpool would spell the end of their title hopes.

He said it was not realistic to look at bigger targets now, but admitted it would make life "more difficult".

More to follow.

Manchester City

Right, Pep Guardiola is speaking. He says Manchester City have to accept the current situation, learn and move forward.

More to follow.

Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott told the Planet Premier League podcast that City face a tough challenge in Sunday’s clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool.

“If you’re low on confidence, that is not the place you want to play – Anfield,” said Lescott. “Even when you’re high on confidence, one missed control or one bad pass can derail you, so going there under the circumstances is probably the hardest they’ll ever have to face.”

City come into the fixture eight points behind Arne Slot’s Liverpool.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash, Lescott added: “I’d take a draw right now.”

Former City defender Nedum Onuoha said: “I remember the second half of the game last season at Anfield I was watching it from behind my sofa. I think for this weekend I might be even further behind that sofa because I want nothing to do with it.”

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester City and England defender Joleon Lescott is the guest on this week's episode of the Planet Premier League podcast.

The England interim coach spoke about his time working alongside interim manager Lee Carsley, why Anfield is the last place his former club City want to play at the moment and the contract situation of some of Liverpool's key stars.

Image source, Getty Images

A reminder of Manchester City's recent form going into Sunday's huge Premier League clash against Liverpool.

Last six:

• Tottenham 2-1 Man City (EFL Cup)
• Bournemouth 2-1 Man City
• Sporting 4-1 Man City (Champions League)
• Brighton 2-1 Man City
• Man City 0-4 Tottenham
• Man City 3-3 Feyenoord (Champions League)

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

The last time Pep Guardiola spoke to the media was on Tuesday after the Champions League draw with Feyenoord.

He had a big cut down his nose and a lot of scratches on the top of his head, which he put down to a sharp fingernail.

He then apologised for a rather flippant remark about self harm, which is not a subject to joke about.

I assume he will have tidied himself up by the time he comes into the media room shortly.

Image source, BBC Sport

So, will Pep Guardiola "welcome the chaos", as Alex Keble put it?

Or does the six-time Premier League-winning manager have another trick up his sleeve?

We shall see.

Not long until we find out the Spaniards thoughts.

Guardiola is due to speak with the media at 12:30 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Keble
Football tactics writer

Better still for a Kevin De Bruyne-inspired Manchester City, Liverpool have conceded three goals from through-balls played in behind by a central midfielder.

It’s easy to imagine De Bruyne doing something like this for Erling Haaland.

Image source, Getty Images

There is a path to a City win, then, but only if Guardiola breaks tradition and goes all-in on a transitional game, something Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has begun to rein in from his predecessor Jurgen Klopp’s all-action style.

Man City are bottom of the Premier League for ‘pressures resulting in a turnover’ (211) and bottom for counter-pressures (512), a measure of pressing applied just after the ball is lost.

On Sunday they need to up those numbers, get De Bruyne into the half-spaces, and welcome the chaos.