Guardiola issues update after Man City suffer injury blow ahead of Liverpool trip

Pep Guardiola is sweating over the fitness of Ederson ahead of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool after the goalkeeper suffered a muscle injury during Manchester City’s draw with Atalanta on Wednesday night.

Ederson picked up the injury during the opening forty-five minutes of City’s Champions League group stage clash at the San Siro and Guardiola’s medical team decided it was best for the keeper to be substituted at half-time.

Claudio Bravo was introduced for the Brazilian international at the break with City leading 1-0 thanks to Raheem Sterling’s early goal. However, Mario Pasalic equalised for Atalanta shortly after half-time before Bravo saw red after bringing down Josip Ilicic outside the box in the 81st minute.

Right-back Kyle Walker was brought on to keep goal for the final 10 minutes of the game and managed to keep Atalanta at bay to secure Man City a valuable point which keeps them in total control of Group C.

Ederson was seen limping away from the stadium after the 1-1 draw and Guardiola confirmed to reporters after the game that his number one goalkeeper is now a doubt to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Guardiola says Ederson will be assessed by Man City’s medical team today and while he hopes the muscle injury isn’t serious, the City boss insists he won’t take any risks and has no concerns starting Bravo against Liverpool.

Guardiola is quoted as saying by the Guardian.

“It is a muscular problem – not big, it was a risk, he didn’t feel comfortable and that’s why we decided to make a substitution. He’s strong and we’ll try with him but we won’t take a risk but we’ll see tomorrow.”

“He’s [Bravo] an incredible, experienced professional. If Ederson is ready, he is going to play. If not we will play Claudio. We trust him. Why should I doubt any players I have in my squad?”

City fans will be praying Ederson makes a swift recovery to start at Anfield as he’s a vital part of Guardiola’s team and Bravo hasn’t started in the Premier League since being given a token game in May 2018 after City were already crowned champions.

The Citizens head to Merseyside sitting six points adrift of Liverpool in the table so they desperately need a win on Sunday to close the gap and losing Ederson would be a big blow to their hopes of securing three points at Anfield.