Phillips was surprisingly omitted from the Manchester City side that defeated Carling Cup holders, Liverpool 3-2 in the Carabao Cup played on Thursday
By Kehinde Okeowo
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has explained why English star, Kalvin Phillips, did not make the bench during the Carabao Cup match played on Thursday night.
According to Guardiola, Phillips was “unable to train” and subsequently left out of the Manchester City squad after returning from the 2022 World Cup overweight.
The England defensive midfielder was surprisingly omitted from Guardiola’s side that beat Liverpool 3-2 in the Carabao Cup during the week.
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Phillips played just 40 minutes for the Three Lions at the World Cup before they were dumped out by France at the quarter-final stage of the tournament.
Guardiola, while speaking to the press on Friday ahead of their Premier League clash against Leeds United on Boxing Day, claimed the midfielder was not injured.
He went on to say he did not feature in the narrow win against the Reds on Thursday, because he arrived at the Etihad after the World Cup overweight.
“He is not injured, he arrived overweight.
“I don’t know [why he is overweight]. He didn’t arrive in the conditions to [take part] in training sessions and to play.
“That’s why he cannot play.” the Spaniard said.
