'It will haunt them' - Pep Guardiola gets brutal transfer instruction to solve Man City problems

Manchester Evening News readers and Manchester City fans have given their verdict on what the club needs to do after the recent defeat to Liverpool. The comments from fans reflect a mix of concerns and suggestions for improvement.

What has been Pep Guardiola's worst ever run as a manager continued at one of his least favourite grounds as the Blues tasted a sixth defeat in seven games. Clear heads are needed at City to work out what must happen next.

Here is what our readers are saying about the situation:

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Juanito feels: "The best thing for City is that Walker, Stones, Lewis, Crealish, Ederson don’t play anymore. Keep a team with the rest and sign 3 players in January and tell those players to find a team.

BlueMerlin adds: "Every time City has won a trophy I bought a commemorative scarf and pinned it on the wall of my man cave. Trust me, we have won a lot of trophies since 2011. We also won the treble, we’ve won four in a row, we are centurions, we won the Champions League. These have been the very best years as a City fan ever. We are in a slump but just remember how lucky we are to have witnessed this period. Get behind the team, trust in Pep, trust in CFG and enjoy watching our team. C’mon City! CTID."

Jheatley writes: "Fan since 1953. The current slump looks worse because of success in recent years. The priority now is to secure Champions League for next season.The January window is a month away so there is time to plan and get it right whether is is 1,2 or 3 players. Not expensive stop gaps but base players for now and the future. Panic is not needed, but we need class cover to give others a rest. My biggest concern is the total lack of organisation and desire at the back. To moan about Walker is to over look the ineptness of Lewis. Don’t forget we have 25 PL games left.

Tony mad blue believes: "Selling Palmer was a big mistake. It will haunt them for years to come. In January another striker must come in. Ederson must be given number one Jersey now or he will be gone. And most of all we must stop playing high line. Defenders not fast enough to get back. If these 3 things are not done we are going to find out if we lose court case and are docked even 30 points we will find ourselves relegated."

Steve2012 thinks: "I think a lot of the blame for what is happening now needs to be laid at Txiki's door. They always say strengthen when you're at the top. Since we won the treble we have lost Gundogan, Alvarez, Mahrez, Laporte, Palmer, Cancelo, Phillips, Gomez, Harwood-Bellis, Delap, Doyle and Charles and brought in Kovacic (decent), Gvardiol (centre half playing at left back, )Doku (no end product), Nunes (unproven in a City shirt), Gundogan (half the player that left) and Savinho (see Doku) and although some who have left may not have been of the required standard they have not been replaced and left us with an aging threadbare squad unable to cope when injuries hit. Hopefully, when Viana comes in he will look at bringing in young hungry players to replace those who have left and those whose time at City is approaching an end."

Changinman says: "Pep's woeful record of bringing through & recognising young talent wants addressing. He's let the likes of Palmer, Lavia, Harwood- Bellis go & no doubt Mcatee to follow soon. Apparently Tixi had to point out to him Bobb was worth giving ago I've read. Though he seems to think Rico Lewis is a talent, which has left most of us scratching our heads. Seems to prefer the cheque book than giving youth a chance."

Bluesince1955 optimistically adds: "Any rebuild is going to take more than one or two windows. Priority for January though has to be a holding midfielder and a right back but then that should have been the priority for every transfer windows since the Treble win."

Bluesince1955 comments: "While I totally accept that bringing Gundogan back now looks a big mistake there were very few, myself included, thought it was a mistake at the time. Most people, myself included, thought it was a no brainer. I think he was brought in as someone who could fill in for others when required and not to play every game. Unfortunately circumstances have dictated that he's had to play too often and in a struggling team which has left him exposed. He's not the only one in the same position though. I would include Nunes, Lewis and McAtee in the same position."

Sairam feels: "The problem with this team is there is no creativity, penetration and aggression in attack and no solidity in defence. The midfield has been most ineffective in controlling the games. Lack of pace, sharpness, and energy are so glaring. With so many defeats in a row, you just can't afford to ignore the visible weaknesses in the squad and not bring in some quality players to strengthen it. How the management does it is their business. But they need to assure their fans that they are doing something concrete and not just dillydallying!"

So what do you think needs to be done with City for a secure future? Join in the conversation below.