Jonathan Smith believes Manchester City is still good enough to compete despite not getting Sanchez or Evans. (1:50)

MANCHESTER -- Pep Guardiola has no regrets about not making a new centre back a priority despite Vincent Kompany's injury setback ahead of Saturday's crucial game with Liverpool.

The Manchester City manager spent more than £200 million on new signings in the summer but missed out on West Brom defender Jonny Evans in the final week of the transfer window.

Kompany has looked City's most assured defender since returning to the team but has suffered from persistent muscle injuries in recent seasons and suffered a calf strain playing for Belgium on international duty.

Guardiola insists he is happy with his squad despite missing out on Evans, who only stayed because Eliaquim Mangala leaving the Etihad Stadium for Crystal Palace.

"We wanted [a centre back] but we were not able to get one, it wasn't possible," Guardiola told a news conference.

"Jonny Evans was an idea. My colleague Tony Pulis put a price that we couldn't afford at that moment. I don't know about the summer or next season, but now he's a player for West Brom.

"We will survive. In the end we spent money, we sold players. We bought five players who cost around £35m each. It's not a big issue because we sold a lot. We got money to invest again. I'm happy with the squad and we'll move forward with that."

Jonny Evans was a target for Manchester City. Alex Broadway/Getty Images

Mangala spent last season on loan at Valencia and Guardiola says he must prove he is good enough for a place in his team.

"If he's here it's because he is willing to play," Guardiola added. "I know his qualities. He's a real central defender and we are going to help him a little bit with the weakness in the build-up, to help him improve.

"I spoke with him after the deadline, to say he is part of the group and that he has to win my confidence on the pitch.

"If Mangala had gone I'm pretty sure we would've bought a new one. Because he stayed it made no sense to buy another."

Kompany played a full 90 minutes in the 9-0 World Cup qualifier over Gibraltar before missing the game with Greece three days later.

However, Guardiola refused to blame the Belgium boss for not taking off Kompany earlier despite the ease of the game.

"Vincent was fit, it was a comfortable game. You never know when it's going to happen. It could happen here in a training session," he said.

"It's a pity for him and for us, because Vincent is helping us a lot with the long balls. He is a special player, he's our captain. For many reasons he's so important. You saw at our results in the last part of the season. And against Real and Tottenham in preseason. But what can we do?

"I'm not a guy to call national managers and tell them what to do. Seven or eight players were with Spain when I was at Barcelona. It's their job, their business. They have to qualify for Russia.