Unlikely to start
Team News for Liverpool Clash
Pep Guardiola confirmed that Rodri is unlikely to feature this weekend, as City prepare to face a resurgent Liverpool at the Etihad.
The midfielder has endured a stop-start campaign after suffering an ACL injury last season. He returned from the bench in the win over Bournemouth but was absent from the squad that beat Borussia Dortmund 4–1 on Wednesday.
Guardiola offered a cautious update. “He does not feel perfect, so we do not take the risk,” he said. “This is a little setback. He needs more time to feel good and play football. What matters is that he’s fine and won’t be out again for long.”
The recently impressive Nico Gonzalez is set to anchor midfield once more. Phil Foden will continue in the No10 role after scoring twice against Dortmund and putting in a brilliant shift, while Bernardo Silva may come in for Tijjani Reijnders,
Rayan Cherki is pushing for a start after scoring off the bench, and Rayan Ait-Nouri hopes to build on recent substitute appearances, though Nico O’Reilly is expected to keep his place at left-back.
Gianluigi Donnarumma and Erling Haaland remain certain starters in goal and attack. Mateo Kovacic is the only long-term absentee.
Predicted City XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; O’Reilly, Gvardiol, Dias, Nunes; Gonzalez; Doku, Silva, Foden, Cherki; Haaland.
