Thugs shower visitors’ team coach with missiles
LIVERPOOL were forced to make a grovelling apology before the game had kicked off after supporters smashed up Manchester City’s team coach. City’s fears that their coach would be targeted on the approach to Anfield proved well-founded as it was bombarded with bottles, cans and pyrotechnics when it was stuck in a bottleneck on Arkles Lane where it turns on to Anfield Road. The coach continued to be pelted with objects as it crawled through plumes of red smoke, injuring two police officers. No passengers were hurt but the front window and driver’s door were smashed. City were enraged about the behaviour and hope those who inflicted the damage can be caught and prosecuted. UEFA took photographic evidence when the bus was parked inside the stadium. Liverpool said in a statement: ‘The club condemns in the strongest possible terms the scenes which preceded our Champions League quarterfinal (tie), which resulted in damage being inflicted on the City team bus. ‘We apologise to Pep Guardiola, his players, staff and officials caught up in the incident. The club will cooperate with authorities to identify those responsible.’ Klopp added on TV: ‘I really don’t understand. There were a lot of talks before. We tried everything to avoid a situation like that. So, yes, for Liverpool FC I have to say sorry.’ City boss Guardiola said on TV: ‘I thought police could know (what to expect here). Fortunately, nothing happened to our players.’ Merseyside Police match commander, Superintendent Paul White, said: ‘This is unacceptable and we will conduct enquiries to identify who was responsible and bring them to justice.’