Pep Guardiola claims he “won’t take the risk” with Rodri vs. Liverpool

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Pep Guardiola has claimed he “won’t take the risk” with Rodri in Man City‘s clash with Liverpool on Sunday, though a history of mind games will leave Arne Slot guessing. Rodri missed Man City‘s 4-1 victory over Dortmund on Wednesday night with Guardiola revealing a fitness issue before kickoff.

“We’ll see tomorrow but I think we won’t take the risk with the international break,” he told reporters including the Manchester Evening News‘ Simon Bajkowski. We are still in November, the best part of the season is ahead of us and we need him.” The suggestion is that Man City will prioritise Rodri’s long-term fitness having seen the midfielder struggle with injuries since tearing his ACL in September of last year.

“We are still playing without a massively important player for us – the Ballon d’Or winner from two seasons ago – and we are desperate to have him back,” Guardiola continued. Of course it would not be the buildup to a clash between Liverpool and Man City without a measure of mind games from Guardiola.