Guardiola reveals Phillips is struggling with his fitness AGAIN
Pep Guardiola reveals Kalvin Phillips is struggling with his fitness AGAIN, and did not return to the club in good condition after the World Cup… following the England midfielder’s surprise omission from Man City’s squad against Liverpool
- Kalvin Phillips did not make the squad for Man City’s game against Liverpool
- Pep Guardiola has revealed that Phillips returned from the World Cup unfit
- Phillips has had a nightmare start to his City career, missing most of the season
- It is unclear when Phillips will be back in contention to play for City again
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he left Kalvin Phillips out of Manchester City’s squad for their Carabao Cup win against Liverpool as the England midfielder returned from the World Cup in poor condition.
City moved into the quarter-finals of the competition on Wednesday as they edged past Liverpool 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium, but Phillips did not even make the bench.
Speaking after the five-goal thriller, Guardiola explained why Phillips had missed out.
Kalvin Phillips did not make Manchester City’s squad for their game against Liverpool
Pep Guardiola has revealed Phillips returned from the World Cup in poor condition
‘Kalvin Phillips is not fit. He did not arrive in the best condition to train and play,’ Guardiola said.
This is just the latest setback for Phillips, who has had a nightmare start to his City career.
After joining the Premier League champions for £45million in July, he missed over two months of action due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Either side of this lay-off he made just four appearances for the club and was not handed a single start.
Phillips managed to play two games at the World Cup, but his fitness remains a concern
Gareth Southgate still decided to take a risk on Phillips, and picked him for his World Cup squad last month.
Having started all seven of England’s matches at Euro 2020, Phillips was used far more sparingly in Qatar as he was restricted to just two substitute appearances.
The holding midfielder did show glimpses of his talent, though, and registered an assist in England’s 3-0 win against Wales.
He will have been hoping to build on that upon returning to City, but his fitness remains an issue, and it is unclear when he will be back in contention to play again.
City travel to Phillips’ former club Leeds on December 28, a fixture that Phillips will be desperate to be involved in, and then host Everton on New Year’s Eve.
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