Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that there will soon need to be notable incomings and outgoings at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola is currently on the worst run of results in his managerial career, City losing five successive games before giving up a three-goal lead to draw with Feyenoord in midweek.
Now sitting eight points adrift of Liverpool in the Premier League table, the make-up of the City squad has become a hot topic of debate.
Although injuries have played their part in City's recent slump, 12 members of the senior ranks are now aged 29 or older.
Furthermore, a number of contract situations will need to be resolved in due course, including that of Kevin de Bruyne who is out of contract at the end of the campaign.
With Guardiola having recently penned fresh terms, he has decisions to make over how he wishes to take City forward when their long-standing dominance in English football is at risk.
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At his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's showdown with Liverpool, Guardiola admitted that "a rebuild" during the upcoming transfer windows has become a necessity.
Speaking to reporters, as quoted by Sky Sports News, he said: "The squad is really good but we don't have a squad. It's not just Rodri, it's many players.
"After that, I say we need to rebuild, yes. We don't have players. We play six weeks without four centre-backs and two holding midfielders. It's not sustainable.
"It's more difficult. All the managers defend their quality. We work for the players we have. Step by step, players come back. Hopefully we can be together a long time.
The Spaniard added: "The moment I feel not positive, I will go. But I want the opportunity, I won't run away, to rebuild the team in many aspects until the end of the season and next season.
"I ask for that challenge, opportunity to do it. I feel it. I know what we have to do, knowing in the moment our consistency, we don't have it right."
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Whose places in the squad could be at risk?
Kyle Walker is the most obvious example with the 34-year-old having struggled for fitness and form in recent months.
Ilkay Gundogan has not been his former influential self since returning to the club from Barcelona, while £100m man Jack Grealish has scored just three times since the start of last season.
As alluded to by Guardiola, he may also target a new centre-back courtesy of numerous injury issues involving the options that he currently has at his disposal.
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