Pep Guardiola faces a stern test of his managerial philosophy as the Manchester City boss aims to overhaul Premier League champions Liverpool this season.
After an extra week of rest due to their involvement in the latter stages of last season’s Champions League, Guardiola’s side start their Premier League campaign with a tricky trip to Wolves on Monday.
It is exactly the kind of fixture that proved fatal to City’s hopes of retaining the title last season.
They were beaten twice by Wolves, eventually losing nine league games and finishing a massive 18 points behind Liverpool.
Guardiola knows City cannot afford so many unexpected stumbles this season if they are to end Liverpool’s reign.
But the Spaniard himself might need to look in the mirror as he contemplates the reasons for City’s steep decline.
His inability to fix City’s defensive problems and constant…