Rodri could be back in action before the end of the Premier League season, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed.

The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, who has initially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in September, returned to individual training this week.

While Rodri himself had previously spoken optimistically of playing again this term, Guardiola had been far more cautious, suggesting it was not worth the risk even if possible.

Now it seems, however, that Rodri’s progress has exceeded expectations and he could feature again before the end of the domestic season and play a part at the Club World Cup in the summer.

Guardiola said: “The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited.

“But one step at a time, we don’t have to make stupid decisions to come back weeks earlier and (suffer) steps back. It’s good but still he’s not close to coming back, I would say.

“But he’s touching the ball and he was in the locker room making touches with the players. He feels confident, he feels more happy.

“I could not expect before (him to return) but maybe before the end of the season – not even the (Club) World Cup – in the Premier League, maybe, it’s going to happen.”

On the downside for City, defender Nathan Ake looks set for another lay-off after being forced off at half-time in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Plymouth in the FA Cup fifth round.

The Dutchman would join a casualty list that also includes fellow centre-backs John Stones and Manuel Akanji, both of whom are set to miss most of the rest of the season.

Guardiola said: “We’ll do the test but he struggles sometimes with the foot, with the bone, probably.

“It’s been like this the whole season, unfortunately, for the central defenders.

“Hopefully the young ones can sustain it and help us until the end.”

City moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals as they came from behind to see off Championship side Plymouth with a brace from teenager Nico O’Reilly and a further strike from Kevin De Bruyne.

The competition provides an opportunity for City to salvage something from a frustrating campaign in which they have fallen out of Premier League contention early and already exited the Champions League.

Guardiola, however, is not happy with the characteristics of the balls being used in the cup, feeling they behave differently from those used in other elite events.

He said: “The ball is not proper. I’m sorry. For many years it’s happened in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

“I know it’s a business and they come to agreements, but the ball is not (good). You know how many shots went over the post? Not just Erling’s (Haaland) – look at other games.

“I’ve said it for many years. It’s the truth. The Champions League ball is exceptional, the Premier League is exceptional, this one is not good.”

Arne Slot’s arrival at Anfield has sparked a complete transformation in Ryan Gravenberch, who now looks every bit a complete number six and a vital cog in his new manager’s system.

Originally brought in by Jurgen Klopp two summers ago, the Dutchman has seemingly become the beginning, middle, and end of Liverpool’s defensive midfield conundrum.

What was once seen as the Reds’ weakest link – prompting a pursuit of Martin Zubimendi – now appears a problem solved. However, a new concern has emerged: just how much more Gravenberch can endure in Liverpool’s grueling February schedule. With fixture congestion piling up, the Anfield faithful are calling for Slot to give the former Ajax wonderkid a well-earned breather.

Against Wolves, the 22-year-old looked like a shadow of his usual self as Liverpool clung to their 2-1 lead at Anfield. But a deeper dive into his workload this season makes it clear that his recent dip in form is more fatigue than flaw.

Concerns Raised Over Ryan Gravenberch

Gravenberch has been one of two players to reap the rewards of his compatriot’s arrival at Liverpool, alongside Cody Gakpo, who’s flourished since returning to his natural left-wing role. However, unlike his attacking counterpart, the defensive midfielder has rarely had the luxury of a rest, thanks to the lack of depth in his position.

In the 2023/24 season, while Alexis Mac Allister took on the primary number six role, Gravenberch played only 1,121 Premier League minutes. This stands in sharp contrast to this season, where he’s already logged 2,139 minutes in the league, with 14 games still to play.

Easily one of the best midfielders in the world right now, it’s crystal clear to see why Slot has given so much time to Gravenberch, especially since his position has become one of the most important on the pitch.

The confidence and calmness of his displays in the engine room, complemented by his running power that is very reminiscent of a certain Yaya Toure and neat spins reflective of old Anfield favourite Thiago Alcantara, have been a breath of fresh air.

Against Wolves, Gravenberch’s performance seemed like a silent plea for relief. Even the strongest engines need a pit stop, and after committing three fouls, winning just five of his 11 duels, being dispossessed twice, and failing to win a single tackle, it was clear his energy reserves had been drained. The Dutchman’s shields were down in his latest appearance, leaving Liverpool fans urging for him to be rested. Thankfully, a solution is only as far away as the bench.

Givemesport

Liverpool visit Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday night – read a statistical preview of the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The rearranged game – which was postponed in December due to adverse weather conditions – is set to kick off at 7.30pm GMT.

Here are 22 facts and figures to know ahead of the 245th official meeting between the Reds and Blues…

This match is Liverpool’s 122nd and last visit to Goodison Park, including two FA Cup semi-final appearances.

This will be the latest in a season that the first derby of a campaign has been played. The previous latest was in 2005 when the Reds won 3-1 at Goodison on December 28.

Liverpool have won 99 matches against Everton in all competitions (drawn 77, lost 68). If the Reds win on Wednesday, it will be the fifth time an English league side has beaten another on 100 occasions since the formation of the Football League in 1888 (Arsenal 111 v Everton, Manchester United 106 v Aston Villa, Liverpool 103 v Aston Villa and Arsenal 100 v Manchester City).

To date, the clubs have won 41 times apiece in their clashes at the current home of the Blues, with 37 draws.

Liverpool have only lost two of their last 27 Premier League games against Everton (won 12, drawn 13), with those defeats coming in February 2021 (2-0 at Anfield) and April 2024 (2-0 at Goodison Park).

Everton v Liverpool is the fixture to have seen the most red cards (23) and been drawn 0-0 the most (12) in Premier League history.

Liverpool have scored more 90th-minute winners against Everton in the competition than any other side against a single opponent (five).

Everton last won consecutive league Merseyside derbies in the 1984-85 campaign.

Liverpool’s loss in this fixture last season ended a 12-game unbeaten away run in the Premier League against Everton (won three, drew nine). They have not lost consecutive visits to Goodison Park since a run of three between 1992 and 1994.

The Reds are unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League games (won 14, drawn five). On both previous occasions they have gone into an away league game against Everton on an unbeaten run of 19+ matches, they have lost (1-0 in October 1978 while on a 23-game run and 1-0 in March 1988 when on a 31-game run).

This is Arne Slot’s first meeting with Everton as Liverpool head coach. Only one Reds boss has won their first ever league Merseyside derby when that match has come away from home, with Kenny Dalglish overseeing a 3-2 victory in September 1985.

The Reds are the only side across the top four tiers of English football who remain unbeaten away from home this season (played 12, won nine, drawn three). Only in 1987-88 (15) and 2019-20 (13) have they enjoyed a longer away unbeaten run from the start of a top-flight campaign.

Liverpool rank top in the Premier League for goals (56), xG (54.7), shots (411), shots on target (159), and big chances (100) this season. They have also spent 47 per cent of their games in the lead, the highest percentage of any side in the division this term.

This is just the third time in the Premier League that Liverpool are facing Everton while top of the table at the start of the day. The others were a 5-2 win and a 0-0 draw in 2019-20, with the Reds going on to win the title that season.

David Moyes won three of his 22 Premier League Merseyside derbies in charge of Everton between 2002 and 2013 (drew seven, lost 12). This is his first match against Liverpool as Toffees boss since a goalless draw at Anfield in May 2013.

Moyes will be taking charge of a game against Liverpool for the 43rd time in his career. Only seven men have ever managed against the Reds more often.

Everton have won their last three Premier League games by an aggregate score of 8-2 – it’s as many wins as they had in their previous 21 league games, and as many goals as they had scored in their previous 14.

Only Liverpool and Nottingham Forest (10 each) have kept more Premier League clean sheets than Everton this season (nine), with the Toffees recording shutouts in each of their last two games.

Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 21 goals in Liverpool’s 12 Premier League away games this season (13 goals, eight assists). It’s the joint-most by a player on the road in a single campaign in the competition’s history, level with Andrew Cole in 1993-94 (12 goals, nine assists).

Ryan Gravenberch can make his 50th league appearance for the Reds.

Luis Diaz could make his 100th start for Liverpool in all competitions.

Alisson Becker has kept seven clean sheets in his 10 appearances against Everton – all in the league.