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Pep Guardiola believes Bernardo Silva needs to react to Riyad Mahrez's quality after being kept out of the Manchester City team by him for the opening day of the season.

The Portugal international was the standout player last season in a side that claimed a domestic treble before going on to be named as the best player in the UEFA Nations League finale.

However, he had to make do with a place on the bench at the London Stadium as Mahrez - who made 14 league starts last year in his debut campaign for the Blues - was given the spot on the right wing despite only recently linking back up with the squad.

Bernardo was described as having a "little muscular problem" but Pep Guardiola had been convinced by the attitude of the former Leicester man over the summer. And after having a hand in each of the five goals City plundered against West Ham, Mahrez can expect more opportunities.

"Riyad called me after the African Cup of Nations to say he only needed 10 days rest," said the manager.

"He wanted to come back soon and he wanted to play. I like it! I wanted to play him here. Bernardo has nothing wrong but a little muscular problem.

"The only problem [Riyad] had last season is the manager didn’t select him often because he had one of the best players of the season, Bernardo. Bernardo now knows ‘wow, Riyad is an incredible player’ and has to make a step forward.

"Gabriel [Jesus] came back with incredible speed and energy so Sergio [Aguero] has to know ‘wow, Gabriel is in top form’. It’s the only way to maintain our levels.

(Image: PA)

"We realise that is the reason why we did what we did last season. Every player has to know it. Today on the bench we had Joao [Cancelo], [Ilkay] Gundogan – the best midfielder of the last two months last season, without him we couldn’t have achieved what we did - we had [Phil] Foden, a talented player. We had Bernardo, Sergio as well, Fernandinho is at home."

City's manager has been impressed with what he has seen from the group in training as they aim to become just the second team in Premier League history to win three consecutive titles.

Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling showed in pre-season that they can be better than ever while there have also been encouraging signs in the opening games from players such as Mahrez to suggest that this is the most competitive squad the coach has had during his four seasons at the Etihad. While it may not be especially big for competing in four competitions, every player carries a high value.

"Everybody has to know that I trust all of them. That is the truth. After four seasons, if I didn’t like a player he wouldn’t be with us. We’d loan or sell him," said Guardiola.

"They have to compete with each other. With the opponents, yes, but compete with each other. When they play they have to know they need to play good. You want to play next week? You have to play good. That is why we maintain our high standards. We have to feel the pressure. If you don’t then there is a tendency to be more relaxed, sloppy like the first half.

"If the players don’t play good then I have to think others deserve it. They have to play good to show respect to the players who aren’t playing.

"That’s what I know from my experience as a manager to have the team together and focused. Otamendi as well, just two training sessions made an incredible performance in the Community Shield. That’s the reality."