Ederson absence explained as Man City drop goalkeeper for Liverpool clash

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has explained his decision to drop goalkeeper Ederson for his side's trip to Liverpool. The Brazil international was named on the bench ahead of the clash, with Stefan Ortega preferred between the sticks.

Ederson has been the Citizens' regular number 1 since joining the club from Benfica ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

But Guardiola opted to change goals at Anfield, with City conceding 15 goals in their last five matches in all competitions.

“We just wanted to change something,” the Spaniard told Sky Sports before kick-off. “Eddy saved us a lot of goals. He's saved duels time and time again, but I decided to go with Stefan today.

Ederson had started all 12 of City's Premier League games this season before the trip to Merseyside, as well as three of their Champions League games.

He was rested for the European victories against Slovan Bratislava and Sparta Prague in October, but always got the better of Ortega in the biggest matches.

However, after a series of lackluster performances from City's defense, Guardiola took matters into his own hands by removing the Brazilian.

City suffered their worst run of the Guardiola era after losing three Premier League matches on the bounce.

The Premier League champions were knocked out 2-1 by Bournemouth early last month, before losing to Brighton by the same scoreline. And they were beaten 4-0 by Tottenham at home last weekend.

Their Champions League results were also disappointing last month, with the North West giants being humiliated 4-1 by Sporting, before squandering a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord midway through week.

“As is normal in sport, they take shit and laugh at your defeats,” Guardiola hissed as he previewed his side's showdown against the Premier League leaders. “At least there is respect. There's no violence or that sort of thing.

“It's part of the quality of football that people can laugh at you when things aren't going well. I don't enjoy everything. I don't like it. I don't sleep as well as I do when I win every game . But it will pass. I don't know when, but nothing is forever.

“I know how we behave internally. We have proven that we are an exceptional club. We celebrate – but not much because we respect the opponents. It's one of the things I love most: the way we behave in good times.

“At the appropriate time, the club – me first – will make the decisions we need to make to maintain the club for many years to come. I want to be here. I asked to be here to try it.