Guardiola: 'Sane must improve'

The German came off the bench to score at the MetLife Stadium, only for a Mohamed Salah strike and a late penalty form Sadio Mane to secure the victory for the 'Reds'.

Sane has a point to prove this season after being left out of Germany's squad for the World Cup in Russia, despite having won the Premier Legaue's Young Player of the Year award for 2017/18.

Speaking after the loss to Liverpool, Guardiola insisted that Sane still has a long way to go to match or perhaps even improve on his performance levels from last season.

"It depends on him," Guardiola told the club's official website. "He needs more minutes and he needs to regain his principles in terms of playing without the ball.

"He has the talent to do that and we are happy that he scored. Still, he is far away from his best."

City and Guardiola are unlikely to be too concerned by the loss, with new boy Riyad Mahrez being the only regular starter to be named form the off against a Liverpool side packed with experience and quality.