Manuel Akanji didn’t have the best of games for Manchester City in Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool. The 27-year-old wasn’t the worst player on the pitch but fell below his standards in a makeshift right-back role and might be swapped out by the time Brighton & Hove Albion come to the Etihad Stadium.
The Seagulls travel to Manchester on Saturday, October 22 and City will fancy their chances of getting a result, so Pep Guardiola should be able to simplify things in defence by having a back four with natural fullbacks on their preferred sides without it being disruptive.
Where will Manchester City finish in the Premier League this season?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th or lower
Guardiola didn’t want to move Joao Cancelo from left-back against Liverpool, likely because he trusted Akanji as a makeshift fullback more than Sergio Gomez, Nathan Ake or Aymeric Laporte on the left, but he could make the switch on Saturday so Gomez can start on the opposite flank.
The 22-year-old has made eight appearances in all competitions since joining from RSC Anderlecht but hasn’t started in the Premier League yet. Gomez has shown promise from the bench and in Europe, so it won’t be long before Guardiola gives him a chance from the off.
Gomez set himself back after getting sent off in City’s 0-0 draw with FC Copenhagen last Tuesday and was an unused substitute in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, but Brighton might be his chance to redeem himself.
In other news, Man City career may be over but Zack Steffen is impressing out on loan
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