LIVERPOOL, England -- Pep Guardiola has revealed that striker Sergio Aguero has been left behind for Manchester City's Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Liverpool after failing to recover in time from a knee injury.
Aguero could return for the potential title-clinching derby against Manchester United on Saturday.
In his stead, Guardiola is set to start with Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, who turned 21 on Tuesday, along with Leroy Sane, 22, and 23-year-old former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling at Anfield on Wednesday.
And the Manchester City manager said his young attacking trio are "fearless" ahead of the critical all-Premier League clash.
"We are so happy with all [our young players] especially those three guys," Guardiola told a news conference. "You have to live these kinds of situations to be better.
"They are young -- Gabriel never played the quarterfinals of the Champions League in their lives and the first time will be here -- but why should I doubt them when we did it at many stages this season quite well? If it doesn't go well, it will be a good lesson for the future.
"I have no worries, not at all. I saw players who are 32 more scared than those guys. It depends on the mentality of them and they are so good."
Guardiola does at least have Fabian Delph back in contention to start at left-back after the England defender trained with the first-team squad after missing Saturday's 3-1 win at Everton.
The City manager has urged his players to stay calm in what is expected to be a hostile atmosphere at Anfield, the only Premier League ground where his side have been beaten this season.
"In the quarterfinals, it is a mountain and it depends whether you are able to cope with that situation or not," he added. "The opponent, of course, is one of the toughest in the world.
"We cannot forget that it's not just one game, it's 180 minutes. What I admire most for the important teams -- because last season we were not able to do it -- in the knockout games they stay calm.
"You see Real Madrid, Barcelona and when the other team attacks it looks like they are taking a cup of coffee because they know their chance will come and when that chance comes, they are not going to miss it. That is the big difference."
Liverpool defender Andrew Roberson told a news conference earlier that City are the favourites for the tie as they are 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Guardiola said he was delighted with the comment as his players should feel like they are the favourites, while midfielder Kevin De Bruyne insisted it didn't put the players under any more pressure.
"The pressure has been on us since I arrived here," De Bruyne said. "Every year we were the favourites. At the beginning of the year, everyone told us we would win the league so it doesn't change that much.
"If you look at the season until now it's normal we are favourites but it's a different competition. It's a cup game and from this moment on everybody is strong.
"It's probably 50-50, okay that's a cliche I know, but in the end it is this way because any situation can change the game and then it's over."