MY ACCOUNT
Pep Guardiola has apologised after Manchester City fans sang chants referencing football stadium tragedies against Liverpool, but he does not feel the rivalry between the clubs has become “toxic”.
City suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season at Anfield on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah’s second-half goal enough to secure a 1-0 win for the Reds.
However, the game was overshadowed by several off-pitch incidents.
Guardiola alleged home fans threw coins at him; police said they were investigating an apparent attack on City’s team bus; and Liverpool criticised the conduct of some away supporters.
The Reds accused City fans of singing “vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies” and vandalising the concourse with graffiti of a similar nature.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion, Guardiola said those responsible did not represent City and insisted the club’s recently established rivalry with Liverpool is not out of control.
Asked whether contests between Liverpool and City had become “toxic” on Friday, Guardiola said: “I don’t think so, [not] from our side, I’m pretty sure of that.
“I didn’t hear the chants. If it happened, I’m so sorry. It does not represent what we are as a team or as a club if this happened.
“We can behave perfectly and [correct] our mistakes, without a problem.”
