Man City boss Pep Guardiola open to Stefan Ortega call despite Ederson reaction
Guardiola dropped Ederson and started with Stefan Ortega in goal for Sunday's defeat to Liverpool
Pep Guardiola did not rule out giving Stefan Ortega a longer run in the Manchester City team despite insisting that Ederson is still his No.1.
The City boss surprised many at Anfield on Sunday by dropping Ederson to the bench to give Ortega his first Premier League start of the season. Guardiola said on the day that while the Brazilian had been excellent he wanted to try something different for the trip to the league leaders.
Ortega was quickly called into action as Liverpool bombarded the City goal in the opening 20 minutes, and performed well despite giving away a penalty in the second half to allow Mo Salah to make the game safe for the Merseysiders. Guardiola maintains that Ederson is his preferred choice in goal but did not confirm that he will return.
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"Eddy is the No.1 and Stefan is the No.2 but maybe Stefan will continue," he said. "We will see in the next games."
Ederson was unhappy at the end of last season when injury forced him off against Spurs in the penultimate league game and Stefan Ortega then took the plaudits for an incredible save from Son Heung-min. It contributed to the shot-stopper nearly leaving in summer but City rejected bids from the Saudi Pro League and Guardiola convinced the player to stay in talks during the transfer window.
However unhappy Ederson may have been at not playing at Anfield, he did not react in a way that displeased his manager. "It was really good," said Guardiola. "We know each other for eight or nine years."
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