Pep Guardiola revealed at his own pre-match briefing that Rodri is unlikely to be involved in the fixture, having been absent in the Champions League in midweek too.
“We’ll see tomorrow but I think we won’t take a risk,” the City boss said of the midfielder.
“Now it’s the international break afterwards. You have to define the moment that he feels strong, feels fit and can sustain the actions. The actions in the game are so demanding and [so] he can sustain it properly. To make that step.
“We are still in November, the best part of the season is ahead of us and we need him. Still we are playing without the Ballon d’Or [winner] of two seasons ago, a massively important player for us and we are desperate to have him back.
“[But] knowing that Nico right now has become a really, really important and good player.”
On the challenge he expects this weekend, Guardiola – for whom this match is the 1,000th in his career as a manager – added: “We know the rival that we have. I saw the game against Madrid, the quality they have in all positions is outstanding. So, it’s a top, top team.
“We are with our people, hopefully they come to celebrate my anniversary in the stadium and together we can beat an important rival.”
Last match
Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid (November 4): Mamardashvili, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike.
Manchester City 4-1 Borussia Dortmund (November 5): Donnarumma, Nunes, Stones, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Reijnders, Savinho, Foden, Doku, Haaland.
