Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry admits that his side are missing the influence of key figures such as suspended skipper Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure.
City, who are 1/2 with bookmaker to win the Premier League this season, are three points ahead of their rivals going into the weekend, but could be hauled in by both Manchester United and Spurs before they head to Wigan Athletic on Monday evening.
Barry commented: “If you look at the team that played against Liverpool it was a completely different team. Vinny, Yaya and David (Silva) are three top players that are playing as well as anyone in the Premier League this year.
“Those three players would be missed in any team and obviously the other night they were missed in ours.”
City were edged out 1-0 at home by Liverpool in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final in midweek, having been beaten 3-2 at home by Manchester United in the FA Cup third round last weekend.