Pep Guardiola has responded to accusations that he lacked respect when celebrating Manchester City’s equaliser against Liverpool. Julian Alvarez scored the goal that brought City level after Mohamed Salah’s opener for the Reds, with the hosts going on to win 4-1. Guardiola was seen celebrating Alvarez’s goal in front of Liverpool substitute Kostas Tsimikas, who was walking past him at the time. The City boss embraced him shortly after, with little sign of animosity between the two. However, Guardiola was challenged on his antics during his post-match press conference, providing a sarcastic reply to one journalist in particular.
Guardiola offered his explanation for what happened, saying: “I was happy and I said ‘how nice was our goal?’ That’s all.” When asked if it was an attempt at humour, he replied: “Of course! Come on.” Sam Wallace of The Telegraph then claimed it was provocative, but Guardiola responded with: “Ay come on. I’m so sorry. Speak with Tsimikas, speak with the others if there was a lack of respect. Ask him if I lack respect.”
Guardiola celebrated the goal with his son on the floor and came over to say “oh it was nice, isn’t it?” He asked Wallace if he thought it was a lack of respect, to which Wallace replied: “I thought it was a bit, yeah.” The City boss was not best pleased, responding with: “Ah OK sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Alvarez’s leveller was followed by goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish. City were a class above their opponents in the second half, with Liverpool crumbling away from home. It’s a result that keeps their Premier League title hopes alive. However, they remain eight points behind Arsenal after Mikel Arteta’s men thrashed Leeds 4-1 at the Emirates.