Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has explained his team selection ahead of the game against Liverpool at Anfield.
Liverpool hold a six point advantage at the top of the league heading into the match and Guardiola will be without his first-choice goalkeeper Ederson.
Claudio Bravo comes into the Man City side for his first league appearance in 18 months after being sent off in the Champions League in midweek.
Guardiola has now sent the reserve goalkeeper a message ahead of the game, telling Sky Sports: “It doesn’t matter what keeper you play, top clubs with national team goalkeepers from Chile and everywhere, so he has a lot of experience.
"Now, he just goes out there and plays as good as he can."
Rodri is back for Man City in midfield with David Silva on the bench as returns after an injury lay-out.
Guardiola added: “Rodri felt good the last few days, we didn’t want to put both in after injuries at the same moment, and Rodri felt ok in the last two training sessions, so we decided he would be selected.”
Asked why the game at Anfield is so hard for his team, the City boss explained: “The quality of the opponent. They are so strong and it is a challenge.
"After winning back to back Premier League’s, we need to be pushed as well and they are going to help us in the next three, four and five years, to understand what the level is we’re trying to achieve and understand as much as possible.”
