The prospect of goalkeeper Ederson taking penalties for Manchester City is now only a “half-joke” after the latest embarrassing spot kick miss.
Ilkay Gundogan skied his shot into the Kop with the Blues and Liverpool tied 0-0 at Anfield.
And that had fans wondering whether City’s penalty curse would again cost them, as Kevin de Bruyne’s miss against the same opposition at the Etihad Stadium, Sergio Aguero’s Champions League fluff at Spurs and Gundogan’s miss at Spurs last season, all did.
Thy need not have worried as City recovered to win 4-1 and move clear at the top of the Premier League.
But with more big games coming up, and fine margins often making the difference, City’s recent penalty record – they have missed three out of seven this season – could end up costing them.
Many fans have clamoured for Ederson, who has a fantastic strike and models himself on legendary Brazilian keeper Rogerio Ceni, who scored an incredible 132 goals from penalties and free kicks.
Pep Guardiola has laughed off the idea that Ederson might take them in the past, but with Sterling, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Aguero, Ilkay Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez all having missed them, he is running out of options.
Asked whether Ederson is in the frame in future, Guardiola said: “It was a half-joke.
“When I said this six months ago it was a joke - now it is a half-joke.
“We don't have specialists in this area like Salah is. In these kind of games and knockout rounds, missing a penalty can punish you a lot.
“Fortunately today we could turn it over but we have to talk about this issue.
“I still think Kevin and Gundo are fantastic takers but what I want is the guy who has the personality to think they are going to score a goal.”
