THAT’S REALLY PEPPED ME UP
Aguero earns point as City bounce back
PEP GUARDIOLA said his Manchester City players had given him one of his best days in management yesterday, four days after Monaco’s Champions League knockout delivered one of the worst.
The City boss, below, saw his side climb off the canvas after losing on Wednesday night to share the spoils with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in a 1-1 thriller played in front of royal guest and former King of Spain Juan Carlos I.
And while a point apiece left both teams unchanged in the table in third and fourth and losing further ground on leaders Chelsea and Tottenham in second place, Guardiola insisted he was delighted.
“You cannot imagine but it is one of the happiest days of my career as a manager, I’m so proud,” said Guardiola, who has won two Champions League titles as a
manager. “After the game against Monaco, the last few days at training people were so, so sad – people didn’t talk too much.
“We arrived here against Liverpool, who have no Europe all season and one week to prepare but the spirit we showed and how we played – it is one of my happiest days as a manager.
“We have had a tough few days and this means a lot to me. That is why I am so happy.”
His Liverpool counterpart Klopp was less enamoured with the draw than Guardiola.
When told of his opposite number’s reaction, he joked: “He is Spanish. They are a bit more emotional than the Germans.”
But the result continued Klopp’s unbeaten record against the top-six clubs this season which now stands at five wins and five draws.
“To get a point at Manchester City for each team in the world is absolutely okay,” he added.
“There were a few situations where we couldn’t defend their quality but we could have won this game because we forced their goalkeeper into a few outstanding saves.”
City also spurned their fair share of opportunities, although none was better than the one missed by Liverpool’s Adam Lallana 10 minutes from time.
Klopp admitted the midfielder was distraught afterwards but that he had offered him his unqualified support.
“Adam’s opportunity was really good but he is one of the best technical players I’ve worked with and if he could not score no one could.
“After the game he said sorry and I know why but he had no need to say sorry.”