Guardiola denies ‘disrespectful’ celebration against Liverpool

Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola has reacted to claims of engaging in a “disrespectful” celebration after his team defeated Liverpool 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, April 1.

Guardiola appeared to celebrate Julian Alvarez’s equaliser in the face of Liverpool substitute Kostas Tsimikas, before bizarrely shaking the hand of Reds midfielder Arthur Melo.

Clarifying what happened during the exchange, Guardiola said;

“I was happy and I said [to Tsimikas] how nice our goal was.”

When another journalist then picked Guardiola up on the incident and enquired whether the celebration was a slight lack of respect for the Liverpool players. Getting visibly more annoyed, he said;

“I’m so sorry. Speak with Tsimikas, speak with Arthur for a lack of respect.

“Ask him if I lack respect. I celebrated the goal. I celebrate with my son on the floor and I come here and I say ‘the goal was nice, wasn’t it?’ That’s all. I’m so sorry. Do you think it was a lack of respect? Ah okay, I’m sorry.”

Whilst Guardiola used plenty of time after the match to explain his actions, he also praised his team for their performance against Liverpool as the gap to current Premier League leaders Arsenal was temporarily reduced to just five points. The Spaniard claimed the display was among the best from his side since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium.