Mixed messages from Guardiola as Liverpool pull away at the top
PEP GUARDIOLA insisted he was not being sarcastic when he shook the hand of the referee after Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat at Liverpool.
The City boss appeared to thank Michael Oliver for his performance in a theatrical way after the final whistle at Anfield.
Guardiola had been enraged during the Premier League clash as his side were twice denied penalties for possible handballs against Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The first was the most controversial, coming immediately before Fabinho opened the scoring. The second came late on as City rallied in response to further goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
“It was not sarcastic,” Guardiola said. “I say, ‘Thank you so much’ all the time. I said the same at Tottenham game at home. All the time I go to referees I say thank you so much.”
City’s late rally did produce a reply from Bernardo Silva but Premier League leaders Liverpool did not surrender an advantage that saw them move nine points clear of the champions.
Fabinho fired Liverpool into an early lead with a superb 25-yard shot following a controversial VAR decision before Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane put the game out of sight, while City’s late consolation came via Bernardo Silva.
The result left City in fourth place, also behind Leicester and Chelsea, but Guardiola – becalmed by the time he held his post-match press conference – spoke of his pride at the performance.
The Spaniard said: “Today we showed in the most difficult stadium in the world the reasons we are champions, [it was] one of the proudest performances of my career.
“Unfortunately we lost, but congratulations to Jurgen [Klopp] and this fantastic team for the victory.
“It was a good game for both sides, for the Premier League, for the billions of people who watched this game it was good advertising.
“Maybe you have to buy Jurgen and myself a bottle of wine for that!
“We tried, but we can’t expect not to concede chances at Anfield.
“We created more than ever and I’m so proud to be manager of these players.”
Guardiola refused to be drawn when asked about the controversial refereeing decisions.
He said: “You’ll have to ask [referees chief] Mike Riley and the big bosses about that. I’m not here to talk about the decisions over the referees or VAR. Don’t ask me, ask them.”
Guardiola will not give up on a third successive title and hopes his players learn from the experience.
He said: “There are three teams in front of us who have more of a chance to win the Premier League but hopefully we can sustain this mentality and try.
“If in the end it’s not enough we’ll congratulate Liverpool, Leicester or Chelsea.
“How we react is the process we have to learn.
“I don’t have regrets.”
Fabinho’s first goal since December came while City were still arguing for a handball by Trent
Alexander-Arnold in the other penalty area.
Moments after referee Michael Oliver had waved away City’s penalty appeals – his decision was upheld by VAR – the visitors fell behind to Fabinho’s sizzling sixthminute finish.
VAR also backed Oliver’s call not to award former Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling a penalty for an alleged push in the back by Mane.
City had another penalty shout denied when Sterling drilled a shot at Alexander-Arnold’s hand.
In the immediate aftermatch, Guardiola was furiously signalling “twice” to fourth official Mike
Dean after another decision had not gone the visitors’ way.
ASTON VILLA boss Dean Smith accused his side of lacking desire after their defeat at Wolves.
Injury-hit Villa lost 2-1 at Molineux on Sunday to slip to a third straight Premier League loss.
Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez scored as Wolves dominated, despite Trezeguet’s injury-time strike.
Villa now sit three points above the relegation zone heading into the international break.
“It appeared the game was bigger for them than us. The best thing was it was only 1-0 at half time,” said Smith.
“It’s not really for you to print (what he said at half time). You have to go and compete, it doesn’t matter what game you’re playing.
“We didn’t cope with the pressure we were put under. They were right up for it from the start and we didn’t have enough intensity in our play. That’s something we’ll talk about.
“It won’t take an awful lot to be better.”
Skipper Jack Grealish was missing with a calf problem with Tom Heaton also out with his own calf injury.
The goalkeeper has pulled out of the England squad to remain at Villa for treatment.
Replacement Jed Steer lasted just eight minutes, limping off with an Achilles issue, while Matt Targett came off with blurred vision and Bjorn Engels missed the game with a hip problem.
“It (the disruption) doesn’t affect your desire to win a header, a tackle and a second ball,” Smith insisted.
Steer’s replacement, Orjan Nyland, was beaten by Neves’ fine 41st-minute strike, the midfielder drilling in from the edge of the box.
Adama Traore hit the bar before Jimenez made it 2-0 with six minutes left. Trezeguet gave Villa hope with a late strike late, which was given by goal-line technology, but the hosts held on.
Wolves are now unbeaten in their last seven top-flight outings and are just one point adrift of the top five.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “We always compete, this is very tough to do and it makes me very proud. We played very well, we dominated the game, especially in the first half. I’m happy with the performance and atmosphere.”