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Manchester City defender Ruben Dias says the Premier League champions "embrace" the "challenge" posed by their recent losing streak.

Saturday's defeat at Brighton means the four-time defending champions have lost four consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since 2006.

"These times are never welcome in a dressing room like ours," Dias told ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport.

"Even though they're not welcome, we do know they're part of it, especially when we've won so much."

City are five points behind leaders Liverpool heading into the international break and face Tottenham and Liverpool in their next two league games.

"It's normal that times like this come, mostly because so many people want to take us down," added the Portugal defender, 27.

"We accept it, we embrace it, that's part of the challenge. That's why we love it so much.

"If not for this, our wins wouldn't be as big as they are. It's the life we live and we love it for it. We just keep on doing what we do best."