Manchester City shot stopper EdersonMoraeshas been picked to start the upcoming2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Venezuela ahead of his Liverpool counterpart Alisson Becker. Brazilian national team manager Tite has decided to start Ederson in goal for the matchday 3 game at the expense of regular first choice goalkeeper Alisson and third choice goalkeeper Weverton who plays his club football for Palmeiras in the Brazilian Serie A.

The decision to start Ederson is a little surprising mainly due to the fact that the former Benfica man was snubbed for the previous qualifiers (matchdays 1 and 2) last month. Alisson Becker was injured for those games and Weverton started ahead of EdersonMoraes as the Selecao pick up the maximum six points from the two qualifying matches in October.

Weverton kept a clean sheet as Brazil beat lowly Bolivia 5-0 at home on matchday 1 before conceding two goalsas his team came from behind tobeat hosts Peru 4-2 on matchday 2. Ahead of matchday 3, Brazil lead thestandings on goal difference from nearest challengers Argentina.

Brazil coach Titeconfirmed that Ederson will start the Venezuela game in Sao Paulo on Friday during his pre-match presser. He told reporters that he held discussions with each of the three goalkeepers in the company of goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel. On his choice of Ederson for the game, Tite said that the Manchester City shot stopper is in great physical and technical shape at the moment.

Palmeiras midfielder Gabriel Menino won’t feature against the Venezuelans after he tested positive to Covid-19. There would be starts for Everton midfielder Allan and Flamengo winger Everton Ribeiro against Venezuela in the absence of Casemiro and Coutinho.

Real Madrid star Casemiro recently tested positive for Coronavirus, while Barcelona player Philippe Coutinho is recovering from a muscle injury.