Pep Guardiola has done something very smart, to be honest, and if it was Jurgen Klopp, we’d be over the moon.
While nearly every Liverpool first-team player of note is away on international duty, Manchester City have a whole host who will stay with their club and maximise fitness before the manic September/October run.
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Somehow, Pep has convinced Brazil and Argentina not to call up any City players, while David Silva has retired from Spain, Raheem Sterling has picked up a lower back problem, with France allowing Aymeric Laporte a break as well.
Liverpool meanwhile have THIRTY FOUR players in total heading off to international duty at various age levels, which will leave Melwood utterly threadbare.
Fans on Twitter have reacted to Guardiola’s cunning and think it’s entirely underhand and deliberate.
We wholeheartedly agree and would have no problem with any Reds picking up minor issues that allowed them an early return, either.
Top shithousery from Pep this ngl pic.twitter.com/tN3oVmwpq5
— . (@FourFourOnGlue) September 3, 2018
This is Ferguson level. Expecting them all to be fit for City's next game. https://t.co/06BTLrczbK
— Red (@TaintlessRed) September 3, 2018
@benisnotblack ben agruero and otamendi not named in argetine squad. Smart by pep
— Liam Moore🔴 (@LiamMooreLFC) September 4, 2018
🇧🇷 Not Selected For Brazil:
Ederson, Fernandinho & Jesus🇦🇷 Not Selected For Argentina:
Otamendi & Agüero🇫🇷 Not Selected For France:
Laporte & Mangala🇪🇸 Retired From Spain:
Silva🏴 Withdrew From England:
Sterling pic.twitter.com/I70Z3VjTSP— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) September 4, 2018
Sterling to start for City on 15th September?
— Tom McDermott (@MrTomMcDermott) September 3, 2018
How has Guardiola manged to convince every other national team to not call up their stars for NT duty? Fernandinho, Aguero, Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and many more others among those that have not been called up. Effectively 10days-2weeks rest, after a very long WC year
— net-spend pessimist (@RevivedDanny) September 4, 2018