Guardiola unaware of Mahrez’s rotten run

PEP GUARDIOLA has admitted he did not know about Riyad Mahrez’s dreadful penalty record. When asked after the draw at Anfield if he was aware that Mahrez has missed five of his last eight penalties, Guardiola replied: ‘I didn’t know that.’ The Algeria forward had been a peripheral figure in a game of few chances but he was propelled into the spotlight in the 85th minute. Guardiola, who had substituted regular penalty-taker Sergio Aguero, was adamant Mahrez should be given the responsibility but he ended up clasping his hands on his head after the shot from 12 yards missed by yards. Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus had clearly wanted to take the kick. In the exchange with Sky, Guardiola added: ‘He (Mahrez) had the courage to hit the penalty. In the training session, he shoots perfect penalties. In the end, OK, it sometimes happens. In the end it is what it is.’ Pressed further, he said: ‘Well, the taker is Sergio, he was not there, but we practise, that sometimes happens. We had our chances in the last minutes to win but we miss. We will try to do better.’ The penalty was conceded by Virgil van Dijk, who mistimed his attempt to tackle substitute Leroy Sane. The Holland defender, who has been struggling with a rib injury, had no arguments about referee Martin Atkinson’s decision and said: ‘It was not smart to dive in there, it was a penalty. I said it to the referee as well, it should have happened, but obviously very happy that we didn’t concede. I watched it because I wanted to get the rebound but I was very happy that it didn’t go in. ‘I think they did well, we did well, up until the penalty moment. It was unlucky that we didn’t score, unlucky that we didn’t concede.’ An international break now beckons and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp bemoaned the demands it is placing on players. Klopp said: ‘Now the players go off and play the Nations League, which is the most senseless competition in the world. We have to start thinking about players. You have to call the manager of any country and say, “Can you leave players out?” and he says, “I am under pressure as well”.’