BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!
Aguero misses a sitter, City are 12 points behind leaders, but Pep hails...
PEP GUARDIOLA bizarrely claimed it was ‘one of the most special days of my life’ after Manchester City fought back to secure a draw with Liverpool.
Sergio Aguero was guilty of a missing a sitter late on and the City boss, whose side are 12 points behind leaders Chelsea, still faces a battle to secure qualification for the Champions League. But Guardiola, who has won 40 major honours during his glittering career as a player and manager, repeatedly insisted this result, coming four days after they were dumped out of the Champions League in Monaco, was comparable to anything that has gone before.
‘It is one of the most special days of my life,’ said Guardiola. ‘Why? Because we lived through a tough two days after being out of the Champions League with our mood at what happened in Monaco. I could see in training, the guys were so sad. Everyone was so disappointed.
‘Then playing against a team like Liverpool, where all week they were preparing for the game and they fought until the
last minute and put everything out on the pitch. We did all we could. That is why I am so, so happy. ‘It is one of the days I’m most proud of in my career. Being coach of these guys, more than ever, I want to help this club if I’m able. I’m willing to help the club — if they want to stay with me the next few years — to take the next step forward.’ This was Guardiola at his most emotional. He hailed the performance and character of John Stones for overcoming criticism but he was left to rue a familiar failing with City not finishing the ‘clear chances’ — his words — they created. ‘That is why we can’t compete with the top teams,’ he argued. ‘To achieve the top targets, you have to be more clinical. We do not score enough goals.’ A strike from Aguero midway through the second half cancelled out James Milner’s 49th minute penalty and a point for each side was, on the balance of play, a fitting end to an absorbing contest. City remain in third place, with Liverpool in fourth and Manchester United fifth. It could, though, have ended up as a day to regret for City. Liverpool dominated for a 25 minute spell in the second half and squandered glorious chances of their own, Roberto Firmino missing a one-on-one and, worst of all, Adam Lallana missed his kick from six yards with the goal at his mercy. But Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp defended Lallana saying: ‘He’s one of the best, if not THE best technical player I ever worked with. If he can’t do it I think it’s because he worked so hard beforehand. Really, that can happen. Am I proud about the performance? Yes, of course. But maybe I’m a lucky guy, I’ve had a few nice moments in my life.’ And what did he think of Guardiola’s assessment? ‘He’s Spanish,’ Klopp said with a telling grin. ‘They are more emotional than Germans!’