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Pep Guardiola explains Bernardo Silva’s absence against West Ham United

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed that he had left Bernardo Silva on the bench against West Ham United as he was struggling with a minor muscular concern. The Portuguese midfielder was a constant in the manager’s starting plans during the course of the treble-winning season last term and his inclusion from the first XI came as a surprise to many of the fans.

Speaking after the 5-0 win over West Ham United, Guardiola revealed that Silva’s non-involvement in the game was due to issues over a muscular injury. He added that he prefers to trust everyone within the squad and he is pleased that Riyad Mahrez took his chance with a couple of assists at the London Stadium.

He said: “Bernardo had done nothing wrong, but there was some little muscular problems. Riyad called me after they [Algeria] won [the AFCON. He said, ‘I need just 10 days. I want to come back soon. I want to play’. I like it. That’s why I decide, ‘Okay, I want to play him’. I want them to know I trust all of them. That is the truth. After four seasons, I don’t not like one player who is with us. I trust with them and they have to compete with opponents and with each other.”

Liverpool set the trend for the Premier League season with a 4-1 win over Norwich City on Friday but the Citizens managed to outwit them with a comfortable 5-0 triumph over West Ham United on the road. As such, they have managed to secure the top spot after the opening week but they cannot take things lightly, given they have a testing encounter against Tottenham Hotspur during the forthcoming weekend.

The Mancunian giants have a good record against Spurs in the league with four successive league wins but they need to be wary of the threat presented by the north London giants, who beat them at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League last term on the away goal rule.