Pep Guardiola insisted that James Milner should be sent off during the match The captivating draw of Manchester City with Liverpool Jurgen Klopp hailed Mohamed Salah as one of the best players in the world after his amazing solo goal that made it 2-1.
City dominated the first half at Anfield but fell behind twice, recovering twice through Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne, and owed Rodri in the 85th minute to stop Fabinho from taking the win. Liverpool win over. Then, City lodged an official complaint with Liverpool after a fan allegedly spat on the bench during the second half. Liverpool have launched an investigation and are studying CCTV footage.
“I didn’t see him but I heard about him,” Guardiola said. People told me this happened. I am sure Liverpool FC will take action against this person. I know that Liverpool is greater than these actions. In every club, there are people who do a bad job because of their emotions.”
The City manager was even more saddened by referee Paul Tierney’s decision, not to show Milner a second yellow card for a foul on Bernardo Silva’s outstanding 1-1.
Guardiola, who was booked due to his angry protests, said: “He has to show me the yellow card but before that he has to show James the second. The margins are so tight in these games that it can make a big difference. That doesn’t mean you will beat Liverpool at Anfield, But it is very clear that this procedure does not give James a second yellow. It is never easy at Anfield or Old Trafford.
“he is [Tierney] Knowing when he sees action is a yellow card. I understand the pressure on everyone. The decision has to be made in 1 second, maybe yes, maybe no, 20 minutes left, 1-1 and then they make the decision 2-1 from James Milner’s zone area. Now I’m more or less satisfied because we draw but we could have lost and I’d be even angrier. The referee knows perfectly well that it was a second yellow card.”
Guardiola collided with Milner in the Anfield tunnel after the match and had what appeared to be a hilarious conversation with the Liverpool midfielder. “He gave me golf tips,” said the City manager. “He is much better at golf than me. We talked a little bit about the match and the yellow card. He was joking.”
Despite failing to capitalize on several clear openings in the first half, Guardiola insisted: “Nothing in my mind, heart or soul is disappointed with what we did.”
By contrast, Klopp was not happy with Liverpool’s performance in the first half, but he is happy with the improvement of the second half, which led to a breakthrough by Sadio Mane and a great shot from Salah.
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“They were two completely different halves, thank God, because the first was exactly as if you shouldn’t do it against Man City, and the second was exactly what you should do,” said the Liverpool boss.
“The second half was us – brave, aggressive, full of determination, ready to play in the small spaces and use the display. The first half was probably the worst we played against City. We had to show a reaction and it was very impressive. The first goal was a great counter-attack and the second, just The best players in the world score goals like this. Very exceptional. This club never forgets anything and people will talk about that goal for a long time, in 56 years when they still remember this match.”
It was a reference to former Liverpool striker Roger Hunt, who scored in the FA Cup final 56 years ago and died last week.