Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has questioned Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini's motivational skills.

The Premier League champions are currently on a three-game winless run and trail leaders Chelsea by nine points.

City's hopes of securing qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League appear slim after Wednesday night's 2-1 reverse at home to CSKA Moscow, and Lawrenson is unsure if Pellegrini's instructions are having the desired impact.

He told BBC Sport: "Manchester City should be inspired by playing in the Champions League because it's the best club competition in the world.

"I look at that side sometimes and see the bigger players not turning up in the Champions League. Analyse the way they play then look at the manager - is he getting his teams up for it?"

Catch live commentary of City's trip to Queens Park Rangers here.