Pep Guardiola left Benjamin Mendy out of his squad to face Liverpool because the left-back is still not fit enough to play two games in a week.
Mendy was a surprise omission from the Manchester City side at Anfield, with Angelino starting in his absence. The decision came under scrutiny with the Blues beaten 3-1 by Liverpool and the TV cameras picked out a glum looking Mendy sat next to director of football Txiki Begiristain in the second half.
But Guardiola said Mendy had been unable to train for a day after starting against Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday, which is why he opted to start Angelino.
Guardiola said Mendy didn't actually have an injury that would have ruled him out of the game and he will now go away with the France squad during the international break.
The 25-year-old, who has missed large parts of the last two seasons due to two serious knee injuries, looked to be getting back to full fitness after starting three games in eight days at the end of October, but his absence for the squad for City's biggest game of the domestic season to date will invite further scrutiny on his long-term future at the Etihad.
"It’s because Mendy after two seasons injured when he plays two games [in a week] - for example the day before yesterday he didn’t train," Guardiola said.
"He’ll go the national team now, he’s not injured. We need a time when he’s not injured and he can play every three or four days."
Rodri did return from a hamstring injury to start for City while David Silva, who limped out of last weekend's win against Southampton, was an unused substitute.
But Ederson did miss out after picking up an injury at Atalanta in midweek, although Guardiola is hopeful he will be back after the international break, when City face Chelsea.
"Now he’s going to Brazil to recover there, when he comes back hopefully he’ll be fit. Jurgen said 100 per cent he’s going to play but he could not play," he said.
