Manchester City’s injury woes coming into this weekend’s clash against league-leaders Liverpool have taken a further hit after Pep Guardiola confirmed goalkeeper Ederson would not be fit to play.
The Brazilian stopper was withdrawn at half-time during City’s midweek European tie with Atalanta and had been ever-present for his side so far this season.
But in his press conference today, Guardiola said: "[Ederson] is not able to play. On Sunday he cannot play."
Guardiola did, however, sternly brush off suggestions that the Brazilian’s absence could weaken his side ahead of the Anfield showdown.
Every word said in Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola's press conferences HERE
When asked about whether City would suffer without Ederson’s widely-praised distribution and ability to start attacks for the Etihad side, the former Barcelona and Bayern boss was resolute in his defence of his second-choice stopper.
Guardiola said: "We have another top keeper - Claudio Bravo can do it too. We won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup thanks to Claudio [Bravo].
“He’s an exceptional keeper, [he has] won a lot of games with his team Chile, so no doubts.”
When pressed again on whether Bravo can step up to fill the void, Guardiola added: "Why should I not be confident about my players and my team? Why do you ask me this question?
"I see him every day in training. We won’t lose from Claudio. You have to respect him.
"He won the Copa America, respect that guy, he’s an incredible goalkeeper."
Ederson joins the long list of players currently sidelined for City which already includes David Silva, Rodri, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte.
City travel to Merseyside this Sunday looking to reduce the six-point gap at the Premier League summit against direct title rivals Liverpool.
Klopp’s Reds are currently unbeaten in the league after 11 games and their unbeaten run at Anfield against Manchester City stretches back to 2003.
