Pep Guardiola explains why Erling Haaland & Bernardo Silva didn’t start in Man City vs Liverpool

Pep Guardiola has said Erling Haaland feels ‘much better’ but didn’t added he want to take a risk in starting the Manchester City forward against Liverpool.

The Norwegian was omitted from City’s matchday squad on Saturday, along with Phil Foden who is out for a few weeks after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix during the international break. But Haaland’s absence is due to injury, with the striker suffering from a groin problem.

The issue forced him to withdraw from the recent Norway squad, while Guardiola said on Friday that the attacker would be assessed ahead of the Liverpool clash. But speaking ahead of the game, the City boss explained why his star man missed out at the Etihad.

“He’s much, much better, but not fully fit for today. He didn’t feel good, we spoke and… no risk,” Guardiola told BT Sport.

Asked what Julian Alvarez will bring to the team in place of Haaland, Guardiola said: “The qualities, Erling has specific ones, Julian other ones. [We’re] fully confident and during the season you always have these sorts of problems. The only thing we can do is complain, but I never done it. Other players are going to play.”

The City boss also revealed that a stomach bug prevented Bernardo Silva from starting against Liverpool, with Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne selected in midfield. “Bernardo as well, Bernardo had a stomach virus after the Portugal trip,” said the former Barcelona manager.

“He was training just yesterday. I spoke with him and he is not able to play 90 minutes, he didn’t feel it. But it happens.

“The problem was Erling here after Burnley and after he didn’t feel good,” he added. “Phil had surgery. During the season this happens.”

City starting XI: Ederson; Stones, Akanji, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish.