It being January, we’ll start with the latter and as has become the norm, another day of the transfer window generates more gossip on Alexis Sanchez’ future.
This time, however, the Manchester Evening News suggest what will happen if City don’t sign the Chilean.
James Robson reports: “Manchester City have assured Pep Guardiola he will have the funds to sign a top class striker - if he misses out Alexis Sanchez.
“The Etihad hierarchy are refusing to meet Arsenal’s £35m valuation for the Chilean, as well as the demands of his agent.
“But Guardiola - who City insiders say is in complete agreement with their stance - has been told money will be made available in summer for him to strengthen what is already the deadliest strike force in the Premier League.
“Atletico Madrid striker - and United target - Antoine Griezmann is one player admired by Guardiola, who was interested in signing the Frenchman last season.”
Match reaction now and much has been made of City’s first Premier League defeat of the season, but BBC’s Phil McNulty asserts there’s no reason to panic.
Not only that, but the Chief Football Writer believes the Blues can take heart from their response to going down three goals.
He writes: “When the dust settles, however, City can look back at a truly magnificent campaign so far - and, more significantly, a lead that still looks unassailable.
“City responded serenely to going behind early on, calmly playing their way back into contention until Sane put them back on level terms.
“Even then, when not at their best, they gave Anfield a collective attack of nerves in those closing moments when the possibility of an escape suddenly presented itself.
“It was a demonstration of the character in Guardiola’s side that they kept going - but, in the end, they finally had to taste defeat.”
It’s a similar story over at the Manchester Evening News.
Stuart Brennan suggests the Anfield loss drew parallels with the 4-2 defeat at Leicester last season, but feels it will be only a minor blip in what remains an impressive campaign to date.
Writes Brennan: “This moment feels different, much as it will pain the rest of the Premier League.
“The Blues have too much belief in the bank to let a bad day on Merseyside blow away all the good work of the last five months.
“City bounced back from the Leicester defeat to beat Watford and then Arsenal at home – and they now have Newcastle and West Brom in consecutive home games. Win them, and this unpleasant afternoon will be swiftly forgotten.”
