Manchester City’s Ederson v Mane : The Rematch

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Ederson of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton FC at Etihad Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Ederson of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton FC at Etihad Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

When Manchester City last faced Liverpool in the Premier League at the Etihad stadium they won 5:0. But the game turned on the disgraceful high challenge by Mane on Ederson which resulted in the goal keeper having to be substituted with a facial injury.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Ederson of Manchester City receives treatment from the medical team during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Ederson of Manchester City receives treatment from the medical team during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

In the games between the 2 sides which have taken place since it is clear that there is no love lost between the players. Ederson has taken the opportunity to square up to Mane at least once before and it is no stretch of the imagination to suggest that if an opportunity arises then Ederson will do so again.

Fans may recall in the League Cup FInal between the two sides in 2016 when Yaya Toure squared up to Adam Lallana and simply picked him up and put him aside. Logic suggests Ederson will be likely to do similar.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 10: Ederson of Manchester City confronts Sadio Mane of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on April 10, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 10: Ederson of Manchester City confronts Sadio Mane of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on April 10, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,)

However the missing factor in all of this is that Ederson is a slightly mad goalkeeper and it is difficult to second guess exactly what he might do. He does seem remarkably calm, but in that way people do just before someone really goes off the deep end and commits a heinous crime.

So, City fans will all need to be hoping Ederson is able to control himself in the key moments. At least Muric is proving a capable deputy, although I would rather not be facing Liverpool in this important game with 10 men.