Fernandinho’s amazing display in Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Premier League title rivals Liverpool proved he is irreplaceable, according to manager Pep Guardiola.
The Premier League champions closed to within four points of Jurgen Klopp’s leaders at the summit thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane either side of Roberto Firmino’s second-half equaliser.
Fernandinho sat out City’s back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Leicester City last month, with John Stones and Ilkay Gundogan providing uneasy alternatives at the base of Guardiola’s midfield as Liverpool were gifted the initiative.
And, in a season when star man Kevin De Bruyne has been limited to a solitary league start due to medial knee ligament injuries, Guardiola knows he can ill afford his 33-year-old midfield general spending any more time on the sidelines.
“Fernandinho’s specific qualities, we do not have a replacement for him – his kind of duels, the way he is going backwards,” said the City manager.
“He is an incredible, outstanding player for us. Against Liverpool he showed it again.
“And pray, pray [for him] to be fit for as long as possible.”
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