Guardiola backtracks on own mantra with preparations for crunch Liverpool clash

07 March 2024 , 08:00

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Manchester City were able to rest several players and still ease past FC Copenhagen in the Champions League (Image: PA)

Pep Guardiola's mantra is always the next game is the most important one.

But some games are more important than others, as Guardiola's selection for this last 16 second leg tie proved. The significance of Sunday's showdown at Premier League leaders and title rivals Liverpool saw Guardiola make wholesale changes against Copenhagen.

That and the fact City held a 3-1 lead from the first leg, which put them in control of the tie. Six of those named on the bench – John Stones, Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and man of the moment Phil Foden – were rested with one eye on Anfield.

After that, City face another huge test of their ability to win an unprecedented fourth straight title, hosting fellow contenders and rivals Arsenal on March 31.

Guardiola's decision to leave his big guns on the bench was justified inside five minutes when Manuel Akanji scored to make it 4-1 on aggregate and kill the tie, if it wasn't already dead.

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When Julian Alvarez made 2-0 four minutes later, thanks to a gaffe from Copenhagen keeper Kamil Grabara, De Bruyne and the rest of City's main men could have left the bench and gone home, their services not required until Sunday, although Stones did get a run-out in the last 20 minutes, replacing Dias.

Pep Guardiola kept a number of players fresh to face Liverpool on Sunday (REX/Shutterstock)

Of Guardiola's starting line-up, four are certain to keep their places for Sunday, in Ederson, Ruben Dias, Rodri and goal machine Erling Haaland.

Julian Alvarez, who started every one of City's Premier League games this season until their last two, is likely to keep his place, Guardiola all but sure of his line-up for the game that could go a long way to determining the outcome of this season's title race.

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David McDonnell