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Manchester City face Liverpool in a seismic Premier League showdown at the Etihad today as both teams aim to keep pace with leaders Arsenal.
Manchester City are unlikely to risk Rodri for the crunch Premier League clash with Liverpool this weekend.
The midfielder has endured a stop-start campaign so far and Pep Guardiola spoke on Friday about not needing to rush the 29-year-old back into action given the international break that follows the weekend fixture.
"We'll see tomorrow but I think we won't take the risk with the international break," said Guardiola. "We have to wait for the time when he feels strong and fit and can sustain actions in the game that are so demanding.
"We have to make that step. We are still in November, the best part of the season is ahead of us and we need him.
"We are still playing without a massively important player for us - the Ballon d'Or winner from two seasons ago - and we are desperate to have him back, knowing that Nico [O'Reilly] right now is becoming a really important and good player."
With Mateo Kovacic also sidelined, City will once again turn to Nico Gonzalez in the middle of midfield with the Spaniard enjoying the best form of his Etihad career to date.
Those are the only confirmed absentees for the Blues but Liverpool are dealing with a lengthier injury list.
Goalkeeper Alisson remains sidelined while Alexander Isak was due to return to training on Friday but it remains to be seen if he will be deemed fit enough to feature.
Young defender Giovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee having suffered a serious knee injury while former City player Jeremie Frimpong is out with a hamstring problem
Liverpool arrive at the Etihad behind City in the table with both sides trying to stay with the pace set by leaders Arsenal.
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