THAT’S PEP’D ME RIGHT UP
Guardiola claims draw is among best days of his life vision on Europa glory
PEP GUARDIOLA has bagged 40 trophies in glittering spells as player and boss – but still called this battling draw “one of the most special days of my life.”
The Manchester City gaffer lavished praise on his side for coming from behind to secure a point with Sergio Aguero cancelling out James Milner’s 51st-minute penalty.
Both sides had chances to win a thrilling game with Adam Lallana and Aguero guilty of missing glaring chances.
Guardiola said: “It’s one of the most special days of my life.
“Why? Because we lived through a tough two days after being out of the Champions League with our mood at what happened in Monaco.
“Everyone was sad and we didn’t talk too much in training.
“Then playing against Liverpool, who had all week to prepare, they fought until the last minute and put everything out on the pitch.
“That’s why I’m so happy. It’s 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 if they want to stay with me the next few years, to take the next step forward.
“I want to stay with the guys for a long time. I don’t want to change anything. I want to stay here and help this club make a step forward and the battle to qualify for the Champions League will be until the last day.
“The way we play, we concede chances but we create a lot of chances. Like all matches, we create more chances but this is our problem, our problem is we don’t score goals.
“How the players reacted against Liverpool means a lot. The fans were amazing today – sometimes they are bit of frustration creeping in on their behalf. It’s a difficult situation.
“When emotions are high these things happen but it was something and nothing.”
Gestede insisted the flare up had not been sparked by biting and that he and Bailly were just talking.
He said: “We had a few words, it was nothing major. He gave me a hug and a kiss, that’s it. I didn’t feel anything. Ben thought he bit me, that’s why he reacted.
“But I told him now we were just talking, there was no problem.”
Mourinho said: “It was a big win to a little quiet but they have to be so proud of the players.
“When you approach one game after 10 games winning, it’s nothing special. But you have to consider the situation that we played this game, how we played against them, a top team.”
Klopp responded to Guardiola’s extraordinary claim and said: “He’s Spanish – they’re more emotional than Germans. 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.
“But it’s important for us we showed people who care about Liverpool that we again gave a sign we can perform like this.”
In a game expected to produce plenty of goals, City made the better chances early on, with Simon Mignolet having to push Kevin De Bruyne’s low cross-shot round a post then stopping Leroy Sane’s effort with his feet, David Silva blasting the rebound carelessly over the bar. Liverpool’s most optimistic moment in the first half an hour was when Sadio Mane felt he was tripped by Nicolas Otamendi in the penalty area. It was one of number of strong penalty appeals by both sides and City claimed one next as Milner appeared to catch Raheem Sterling. Towards half-time Liverpool came into the game more, City keeper Willy Caballero saving from Lallana and Roberto Firmino. They continued to make the keep us alive in the race for fourth. Do I prefer to finish fourth or win the Europa League? I prefer to win the Europa League because it gives us the same, Champions League football.
“But it also gives us a trophy, prestige, a European Super Cup final. Maybe we don’t win the Europa League and have to fight until we can to try finish fourth.”
Asked about Karanka, Mourinho said: “Justice for Karanka is the work he did here. People can’t delete the good things. I was sacked by Chelsea. People don’t like me but nobody can delete what we did.” better chances after the interval and were rewarded on the hour.
Full-back Gael Clichy bundled into Firmino from behind and the reliable Milner calmly converted his seventh successful penalty of the season.
Shortly afterwards Brazilian Firmino should have doubled the lead when he was sent clear by fellow countryman Phillipe Coutinho’s pass but Caballero raced out to save.
City improved as they sought an equaliser that came as Aguero beat Ragnar Klavan to De Bruyne’s perfect cross in 69 minutes.
They could have taken the lead but Aguero stumbled at the vital moment after he crafted a clear chance eight yards out and De Bruyne crashed the loose ball against a post.
Yet worse was to come at the other end when Lallana produced a candidate for miss of the season.
The England midfielder somehow conspired to miss when the ball was squared to him inside the six-yard box by Firmino – so unexpected was his poor finish his team-mate had even started to celebrate the winner.
There were shouts for a penalty when Sterling lobbed keeper Mignolet and went down before Aguero sent another volley drifting over the bar, when he had time and space to do better, in stoppage time.
But Klopp refused to be too critical of Lallana and said: “He’s one of the best – if not the best – technical players I’ve ever worked with.
“If he can’t do it, it’s because he worked so hard beforehand.
“Really, that can happen. After the game he immediately said to me: ‘I’m sorry.’ I said: ‘Why?’ He doesn’t have to apologise. His performance was outstanding again.”
The draw kept City and Liverpool third and fourth respectively in the Premier League, with Manchester United closing in on both after a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough. 5.