Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered a cautious injury update fitness as the Sky Blues prepare to face Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
Rodri, a midfield general, who has been one of the cornerstones of Guardiola’s side in recent years, is once again battling for fitness after a fresh setback disrupted his return to consistent action.
Rodri’s influence at Manchester City cannot be overstated. Since arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2019, he has become the heartbeat of Guardiola’s system — the deep-lying playmaker who dictates tempo and shields the defence with near-flawless precision.
However, after suffering a serious knee injury last season during a clash against Arsenal, his progress was suddenly halted.
That incident led to surgery and several months on the sidelines, forcing City to navigate a significant portion of the campaign without their midfield anchor.
Rodri gradually rejoined first-team training towards the end of last season and made appearances over the summer, including in the FIFA Club World Cup.
His return brought hope to Guardiola and supporters alike, especially as the new season kicked off with the Spaniard back in regular action. He featured prominently during a demanding stretch that saw City take on Manchester United, Napoli, and Arsenal in the space of a week.
But his momentum was disrupted once again when he sustained a muscular issue during a match against Brentford. Since then, City’s medical team has been handling his recovery carefully, determined not to rush his return.
Although Rodri recently resumed full training, he was notably absent from the squad that defeated Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League — a decision made just days before City’s much-anticipated Premier League clash with Liverpool.
During his pre-match press conference at the City Football Academy, Guardiola faced inevitable questions about whether his influential midfielder would be fit to face Jürgen Klopp’s side. His response reflected both optimism and restraint.
“We’ll see tomorrow, but I think we’ll not take a risk,” Guardiola revealed.
The City boss elaborated further, explaining that both the timing and the player’s long-term condition were being weighed carefully.
“Now it’s the international break and you have to make the moment, ‘Yeah I feel strong, feel fit,’ and can sustain the actions in the game that are so demanding, properly.
“We have to make that step, because still we’re in November – the best part of the season is ahead of us and we need him! Still we’re playing without the Ballon d’Or of two seasons ago, a massively important player.”
Guardiola’s words make it clear that Rodri’s recovery is being handled with patience and prudence. The club knows the value of having him available for the decisive stages of the campaign — particularly with the busy winter schedule approaching.
Nico Gonzalez steps up in Rodri’s recovery process
While City fans might worry about going into such a crucial fixture without their midfield general, recent performances from Nico Gonzalez have offered plenty of encouragement.
The young Spaniard, who joined from FC Porto midway through last season in a big-money deal, struggled initially to adapt to Guardiola’s intricate system.
However, in recent weeks, he has begun to show why City were so keen to bring him in.
Guardiola himself acknowledged the growing importance of the 22-year-old, whose energy, positional awareness, and distribution have impressed both teammates and supporters.
“We’re desperate to have him [Rodri] back, knowing Nico [Gonzalez] right now is becoming a really, really important, good player,” Guardiola said.
- Pep Guardiola closing in on game-changing star to make Man City unbeatable
- How Pep Guardiola Borrowed Mourinho’s Secret Weapon to Dominate Premier League
Nico has taken on the holding midfield role with composure and maturity, allowing City to maintain their rhythm even without their usual lynchpin.
His performances have not only filled the immediate void but have also offered Guardiola tactical flexibility in managing Rodri’s return.
The manager has rotated his midfield options effectively, ensuring City remain competitive across multiple fronts while maintaining control in the middle of the park.
City’s recruitment strategy in recent years has focused on building squad depth that can withstand injuries to key players.
The trust Guardiola now places in Nico underscores that philosophy. Although Rodri’s recovery from injury is at times been felt — especially in matches where control and defensive cover are crucial — the emergence of capable alternatives is allowing Guardiola to manage workloads sensibly.
