The Spaniard gets his first start on English soil at Wembley, as the manager delivers on his promise to select players who got minutes under their belt in preseason.
One player who toured Asia but misses out is Aymeric Laporte, who isn’t fully fit, meaning Nicolas Otamendi starts at centre-half despite only returning to the CFA this week.
David Silva captains the side and in doing so, becomes City’s all-time highest appearance maker at Wembley, moving one clear of Vincent Kompany.
Having rejoined the squad late due to the Copa America, Ederson, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero are amongst the substitutes, while Riyad Mahrez, who trained for the first time on Friday after winning the African Cup of Nations, is not included in the matchday squad.
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City team
XI: Bravo, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Zinchenko, Rodri, Silva (C), De Bruyne, Sane, Bernardo, Sterling
Subs: Ederson, Gundogan, Jesus, Aguero, Angelino, Foden, Garcia
Liverpool team
XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Origi, Salah, Firmino.
Subs: Mignolet, Lovren, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Shaqiri, Matip.
City tactics
There’s a welcome return to competitive action for the fit-again Claudio Bravo, who makes his first start since last season’s Community Shield, as City adopt the usual 4-3-3 formation.
With Laporte missing, the back four is as expected, whilst in midfield Rodri will sit just behind the twin playmaking powers of Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
In Aguero and Jesus’ absence, Sterling should play through the middle, with Sane and Bernardo on the left and right flank respectively.
Pep on 2019/20
“Our rivals will be stronger and we start from zero but are ready to accept the challenge and we’ll be there until the end.
In Spain and Germany the people say [the Community Shield] it’s a traditional tournament and it will continue for many years. It’s an honour to play in it.
“I think it will be hot, the condition of our players is not the best but we are going to try to play with the players who have played the most in pre-season. The guys who came back late will have a few minutes.”
