Pep: We have to be PERFECT Champions League

PEP Guardiola will not be not pleased with the choice of referee for City’s crunch game with Liverpool.

UEFA have appointed Spanish official, Antonio Mateu Lahoz, for the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final. Mateu Lahoz took charge of City’s exhilarating 5-3 win over Monaco in the last 16 during Guardiola’s first season in charge at the Etihad.

After their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool last week, the City coach recalled how the Spanish referee had nearly cost his team against Leonardo Jardim’s side.

Sergio Aguero was taken out by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic in the penalty area with the score at 1-1 but he received a yellow card for simulation instead.

Minutes later, Kylian Mbappe put the visitors in front.

“I remember what happened last year,” said Guardiola.

“We were 1-1 at home against Monaco when there was a clear penalty to Aguero and a red card that a Spanish referee did not whistle for.

“We went from a possible 2-1 to 1-2. These types of situations are really important.”

UEFA confirmed the appointment on Sunday, four days after Guardiola’s criticism.

The official has brandished 92 yellow cards, three reds and awarded nine penalties in 18 domestic games in Spain this season, averaging more than five yellow cards per match.