GONZALEZ HAS LEARNT EVERYTHING HE NEEDS TO KNOW FROM RODRI

PEP GUARDIOLA is desperate to have Rodri available again for Manchester City but has faith in Nico Gonzalez's ability to stand in for the Ballon d'Or winner because he has learnt from the master.

- BY TYRONE MARSHALL

Rodri will again be missing against Liverpool today as his battle to prove his fitness after an ACL injury continues, meaning Gonzalez will keep his place.

He is in the best form of his City career, having joined from Porto for £50m at the end of January, and Guardiola puts a lot of that improvement down to the fact that he has had guidance from Rodri, 29 (left).

"I think Nico had the best teacher in that position," said Guardiola. "He's one of the more competitive football players I've ever met in my career and how he pushes his mates is unbelievable.

"Being outside when he is involved and with us he's always incredibly positive with Nico, helping him a lot.