Riyad Mahrez has been left out of the Manchester City squad to face Liverpool despite not having an injury.
The early indications from club sources were that rotation was the simple reason why the 29-year-old was not included for the match, having started nine of the last ten games. Ferran Torres lined up on the right for the crucial Premier League game, with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva picked as options on the bench.
City have struggled with a number of injury issues this season but it is not thought that Mahrez has the injured list again, having missed the opening game against Wolves following a positive test for Covid-19. The winger's omission for such a big game is another sign of the competition in the squad and a reminder of how high the standards always have to be.
Ahead of the game, Guardiola praised the physicality of Raheem Sterling and how crucial he is to the team in part because he is able to produce high-level performances twice a week.
"He's an exceptional player, he plays all the minutes because of his physicality and he will be there again on Sunday.," he said.
"Of course, there will be a moment where he takes a rest but at the moment he is such an important player for us so we cannot leave him out."
