The Manchester City evening headlines on Saturday, November 16.

Guardiola told two defenders to sign

Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer has told Manchester City they need to bolster their defensive options in January, with Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly and Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar singled out as targets.

City fell nine points behind Liverpool after defeat at Anfield prior to the international break and McAteer believes defensive additions are necessary if they are to keep pace in the Premier League title race.

He told the Racing Post: "I’m a big fan of Kalidou Koulibaly at Napoli but then so are a lot of people so he would cost serious money. Maybe Pep should have a look at someone such as Milan Skriniar at Inter, who is winning plaudits.

"He’s got to do something because if you’re a City fan you’re thinking this defence isn’t good enough to stay competitive over a busy winter."

How Kompany helped Mahrez

Former City captain Vincent Kompany has revealed how he helped Riyad Mahrez to settle in at the club after he signed from Leicester City in 2018 for a then club-record fee of £60m.

After initially shining, competitiveness in the squad has meant restricted opportunities for the Algeria international. And Kompany revealed Mahrez suffered a decline in confidence last term.

“The price tag doesn’t give you any advantages at City. This wouldn’t be the case at any other club. Riyad felt unconfident and I reminded him to keep calm," Kompany told The Guardian.

"We need to look at the bigger picture – the fact he can have an impact even in the last minute of the season because of his exceptional talent. You share a similar journey with people who spend a lot of time on the bench.

"People forget I was on the bench. But I got the goal against Leicester and then, in the last match of the season, Riyad got us back in the game with an assist and a goal against Brighton. He did it when it mattered the most.”

Mahrez out of Algeria squad

Sticking with Mahrez, the City winger has not travelled with his international squad and Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi has revealed the omission was down to a 'personal problem that requires us to let him go'.

Captain for his nation, Algeria will be without Mahrez for their African Cup of Nations qualifier with Botswana on Monday and his absence will be felt, following a starring performance in the 5-0 drubbing of Zambia earlier this week.

Specifics on the issue have not been revealed and it is unknown whether this problem will affect Mahrez ahead of City's Premier League clash with Chelsea next week.

EFL trophy tie with Shrewsbury Town

City's U21 side will face Shrewsbury Town in the second round of the EFL Trophy, with the tie being moved away from the Etihad Stadium following a request from the club.

Both City and rivals Manchester United received special dispensation to switch their matches from home ties to away matches, with Paul Harsley’s side now travelling to Shrewsbury for the clash in the week commencing December 2nd.

City defeated Rochdale and Bradford during the group stages, then lost their final game against Bolton Wanderers, but it was enough for them to secure a spot in the knockout stages.