Pep Guardiola on Liverpool loss: 'We played like back-to-back champions’
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said his side played like ‘back-to-back champions’ in their 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.
City conceded two early goals in the game at Anfield and never properly recovered, meaning they are now nine points adrift of Jurgen Klopp’s side who sit at the top of the table.
Speaking after the match this evening, Guardiola said: “We played like back-to-back champions. We cannot deny how good Liverpool are but the way we played, the personality, it was good.
“It was quite similar to the Champions League game. It was an incredible situations in that game too but the performance today was so good. Always we try, never give up that is why we are back-to-back champions. Always fight until the end.
“It is important to grow as a club and as a team. It was an honour for both team to show Premier League to spectators this type of game.”
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The match swung on the early decision that saw no penalty given against Trent Alexander-Arnold for an apparent handball, 22 seconds before Fabinho gave Liverpool the lead. A similar incident involving the Liverpool fullback in the second half saw no penalty given either.
Referee Michael Oliver, as well as the VAR, decided that on both occasions Alexander-Arnold’s arm was not in an unnatural position.
When questioned about the decisions, the City coach replied: “Ask the referees, don’t ask me.”
“Ask Mike Riley and the guys in VAR. I would like to talk about our performance, it was so good. It was one of the best performances we have played.”
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