Man City: Guardiola says Ederson ‘cannot play’ Liverpool match
Ederson may start for Manchester City against Liverpool despite being ruled out through injury, claims former Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray.
City stopper Ederson suffered a thigh injury in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Atalanta on Wednesday.
Manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday the Brazilian would not make it in time for Sunday’s trip to Anfield.
But Murray reckons Ederson could still end up playing, just like Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea did in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool last month.
We saw with David de Gea didn’t we, we all thought he’d miss Manchester United Liverpool and suddenly he was on the team sheet
Matt Murray on Man Utd goalkeeper David de Gea
De Gea was initially ruled out of the match through injury but still managed to play 90 minutes.
“The keepers are so, so important so yeah it would be a blow to them,” Murray told Goals on Sunday.
“But we saw with David de Gea didn’t we, we all thought he’d miss Manchester United Liverpool and suddenly he was on the team sheet.
“So until that team sheet’s in, they won’t know.”
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Matt Murray reckons Ederson may end up playing for Man City against Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
Pep Guardiola ruled Ederson out of the trip to Liverpool on Friday (Image: GETTY)
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However, Murray admits it would be a blow for City if they have to play Claudio Bravo instead of Ederson.
“I think you look at key players, Ederson to what Manchester City do is so, so important,” he added.
“In possession, out of possession, when Manchester City are pressing high he’s a sweeper keeper, when he gets the ball he’s so calm.
“If Liverpool want to press, which they’ve got a lot of joy in [doing] against Manchester City over the years, then he’s got that hammer of a left foot, right foot, either it doesn’t matter and he can just totally beat the press.
Claudio Bravo looks set to start for Man City against Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
“So he’s very, very important and in games of that magnitude, Alisson top-drawer keeper, that’s why he got the price tag, Ederson top-drawer keeper and they won’t only have to do great things with the ball and dictate the tempo, they’ll have to make a big save at some time.
“But I think it will be something that they’d look at, at maybe trying to get at Bravo because he hasn’t been in a big environment, the decision-making is the tough bit.
“But both strong squads and whoever steps in will have to do the job.”