Why isn’t Ederson playing for Manchester City against Liverpool in the Premier League?
Stefan Ortega was surprisingly picked by Pep Guardiola to start an Anfield, with the dropped Ederson named as a substitute.
Manchester City are currently in the midst of an abnormally horrendous run of form, with the midweek Champions League draw against Feyenoord, in which they surrendered a 3-0 lead, following five straight defeats. And goalkeeper Ederson is the man who has paid the price.
The Brazilian was a shock omission from Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup in Sunday’s Premier League game against Liverpool, with backup Stefan Ortega selected to start in goal instead.
Although many would’ve instinctively thought Ederson had picked up an injury, the fact he was named as a substitute for the contest at Anfield confirmed that wasn’t the case.
Speaking to British TV broadcaster Sky Sports before kickoff, Guardiola (sort of) revealed why he had opted to change goalkeeper for one of the biggest games of the season.
Ederson dropped for Liverpool - Manchester City
“We just wanted to change something. Eddy has saved a lot of goals for us. He’s saved one-versus-ones many, many times, but I decided to pick Stefan today. Both are incredibly top goalkeepers, they’re both incredible with their feet and in one-versus-ones.”
Long considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Ederson had started all 12 of City’s Premier League fixtures prior to Sunday. In recent weeks, he has conceded four goals on two occasions (to Sporting CP and Tottenham Hotspur), as well as three to Feyenoord.
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