Fans unhappy as Manchester City star left out of XI for clash against Liverpool
Fans unhappy as Manchester City star left out of XI for clash against Liverpool
Manchester City fans are unhappy seeing Rayan Cherki not being included in the starting XI for their Premier League clash against Liverpool. The two teams are set to face off at Anfield on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola made five changes to his Manchester City side for today’s crunch tie. Gianluigi Donnarumma returns in goal, with James Trafford dropping to the bench. Marc Guehi made his way back among the back four, with Nathan Ake returning to the bench.
Rodri and Bernardo Silva took their usual spots in midfield, with Nico González and Tijjani Reijnders paving the way for them. Erling Haaland completed the change that beat Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
Following his £34 million move from Lyon last summer, Cherki has made a strong impression in his debut season for Manchester City. So far, the midfielder has scored nine goals and provided nine assists in 30 appearances across all competitions. He started City’s last league outing and marked his appearance with a goal, though he played 69 minutes.
However, Guardiola opted to leave the former Lyon man on the bench against Liverpool, a move that didn’t sit well with some City supporters.
One wrote:
Another tweeted:
“Different lineup from Pep. I’m quite annoyed that Cherki isn’t playing. I would have had him in. Bernardo Silva fits; this guy never misses a game. Marmoush x Haaland for one of the first times will be interesting massive game at Anfield; we barely win there. It’s a must-win. Come on, City.”
A third queried:
“Why tf did he bench Cherki, ffs, man? 🤦🏽♂️”
A fan added:
“NO NO NO WTF WTF WHERE TF IS CHERKI. WHY TF IS HE ON THW BENCH.”
CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Bernardo (c), O’Reilly, Semenyo, Marmoush, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Ake, Cherki, Nico, Foden, Alleyne, Lewis
LIVERPOOL XI: Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike
Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola hails ‘exceptional’ Liverpool ahead of Premier League clash
Guardiola was all praise for Liverpool ahead of Sunday's clash. Despite having endured a rollercoaster campaign so far, Guardiola described Liverpool as an ‘exceptional team’ and branded his opposite number, Arne Slot, as a ‘top-class manager.’
“They remain an exceptional team,” Guardiola told reporters. “Top-class manager and an exceptional team, no doubt. The moments are the moments, the seasons are the seasons so always remains a good team. Always a tough opponent and a difficult place and stadium, especially with the quality of the players and the managers.”
Ahead of the match, Manchester City sit second while Liverpool are sixth in the standings.