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Pep Guardiola sends request to Kevin De Bruyne after Man City star's anger at being substituted vs Liverpool

Pep Guardiola sends request to Kevin De Bruyne after Man City star's anger at being substituted vs Liverpool

The frustration shown by Kevin De Bruyne at being taken off during Manchester City’s title clash with Liverpool must be turned into motivation for his next performance, according to Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne set up City’s goal at Anfield as John Stones scored from a smart corner routine but the Reds levelled early in the second half via Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty.

With 20 minutes to go, Guardiola substituted De Bruyne and received a few terse words from the irate 32-year-old.

The Belgian eventually took his place on the bench before his manager came to sit beside him in a bid to cool his response.

“That’s good,” Guardiola told Sky Sports in summary of the incident.

Kevin De Bruyne was furious at being taken off (REUTERS)
Kevin De Bruyne was furious at being taken off (REUTERS)

“He has a chance next game to prove how wrong I was. Next time he’ll have it. It’s fine.

“We needed a player to have the ball and keep it, it’s not about pressing or his play. That’s why, Mateo is really good with that.

“Bernardo Silva will [move to] a central position and Phil [Foden] will in some positions keep the ball and make an extra pass to arrive in the box. Phil arrived at the far post two or three times and in the final third. I know in central positions, Phil is extraordinary.”

City next face Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday evening before the international break and Guardiola insisted De Bruyne’s outburst will not impact his selection for the game.

“It’s not a problem,” he continued. “We’re fine.”