Mandatory Credit: Photo by Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock (14945312oe) MANCHESTER - Manchester City FC goalkeeper Ederson during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City FC and Feyenoord at Etihad Stadium on Nov. 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. Manchester City FC v Feyenoord Rotterdam, UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 - 26 Nov 2024
Ederson was benched for Man City’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday (Shutterstock)
Pep Guardiola insists Ederson remains Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper despite being dropped for the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
Stefan Ortega was handed his first Premier League start of the season at the weekend as champions conceded further ground to Liverpool in the title race with their loss at Anfield.
City, who are now without a win in seven games in all competitions, host Nottingham Forest on Wednesday but Guardiola has remained coy over who will start in goal.
‘Ederson is Man City’s No. 1, Stefan [Ortega] the No. 2,’ Guardiola said on Tuesday.
‘But maybe Stefan will continue, we will see tomorrow and in the next games.’
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ryan Browne/Shutterstock (14955801lh) Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega of Manchester City Liverpool v Manchester City, Premier League, Football, Anfield, Liverpool, UK - 01 Dec 2024
Pep Guardiola insists Stefan Ortega remains Man City’s No.2 goalkeeper (Shutterstock)
Asked how Ederson reacted to being dropped, Guardiola replied: ‘Really good, really good.
‘We’ve known each other for eight years, nine years.’
Guardiola is also adamant that City are able to replicate their impressive form from previous seasons when all of his players are fit.
‘With all of the squad this season, we will be close to the level that we reached last season.’ he said.
‘I would say we are not far away from the team second in the Premier League.
‘But always it’s the way you play, the consistency you have in the boxes, and many things that give you the positive thoughts of what is going to happen in future.’
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