Pep Guardiola: Kevin De Bruyne, Benjamin Mendy Could Return vs. Liverpool

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said injured duo Kevin De Bruyne and Benjamin Mendy could return to his side in Sunday's Premier League trip to Liverpool.

The defending Premier League champions face a key clash at Anfield as the top two teams in the division collide, and Guardiola suggested in a press conference on Friday that both stars could feature:

The tactician first said Fabian Delph was his only injury concern, and when asked whether De Bruyne would be fit to face Liverpool, he replied: "We will see tomorrow."

De Bruyne suffered a knee ligament injury in August and was sidelined after the first game of the season, though it's mattered little for City, who are still joint-level at the top of the table alongside Liverpool.

Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur has hinted Guardiola's comments could be little more than mind games, however, considering his absence from the national team is set to take a little while longer at least:

The return for De Bruyne in particular is significantly ahead of schedule. Stuart Brennanof the Manchester Evening News wrote at the time of his blow that the Belgian was eyeing a November recovery date and would miss fixtures against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

It works hugely in City's favour if they do have their star playmaker back in action, though. After travelling to Anfield, City host Burnley before making the trip to Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League, then they head to Tottenham Hotspur six days later.

Terreur even showed just how drastically it appears the stakes have changed in a matter of days, with suggestions he'd be missing for at least another fortnight posted just days ago:

Mendy has missed the last three league games due to his foot injury, but his biggest concerns of late have perhaps come off the field.

TalkSport reported the Frenchman had fallen foul of his boss after reporting late for training, though Mendy has assured fans he is enjoying his time working under the Catalan, per Sport Witness:

The re-introduction of one of those players, never mind both, is sure to make Liverpool's job tougher, with all eyes on Anfield to see just how ahead of their recovery De Bruyne and Mendy truly are.