Fernandinho expects City response against Reds

Fernandinho believes Sunday’s match against Liverpool represents the perfect opportunity for Manchester City to put their Champions League exit behind them.

Despite taking a 5-3 first-leg lead to Monaco, City were knocked out of the competition after being defeated 3-1 by the French league leaders to exit on the away goals rule.

Fernandinho only has eyes on the future, however, and the Brazilian midfielder still hasn’t given up on catching league leaders Chelsea, despite the ten-point gap between the two teams.

In their last match before the international break, City will need to end a poor run against Liverpool when the sides clash at the Etihad Stadium, as they’ve lost their last four league games against their opponents.

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Fernandinho said: “We have to keep our heads up. It’s a great game to play – especially at home in front of our fans. We have to give an answer to our fans. It (Monaco) was not the result we wanted.

“We have two competitions to play – the league is not finished yet and we have the semi-final of the FA Cup so we are looking forward to that.”

Fernandinho also revealed that he is in regular contact with countryman Gabriel Jesus, who is recovering from a broken foot suffered against Bournemouth last month.

“We speak daily,” he said. “He is recovering well, doing his treatment and everything is going smoothly.

“We are hoping that he can carry on progressing as well as now so he can return as soon as possible.”