Man City’s Pep Guardiola ‘so sorry’ for fans’ offensive Hillsborough chants towards Liverpool

Pep Guardiola has apologised after Manchester City fans chanted about football stadium tragedies during Sunday’s game at Liverpool but added he had not heard the chants himself.

Liverpool expressed their disappointment over the conduct of City fans after the fiery Premier League clash at Anfield last Sunday.

As well as the chants, similarly-themed graffiti was also daubed in a number of places on the concourse of the Anfield Road end stand.

With no official response from City in the days following the game, Guardiola became the first person from the club to speak publicly on the matter as he held a regular press conference on Friday.

He said: “I didn’t hear the chant. If it happened I’m so sorry. It doesn’t represent what we are as a team and a club – if this happened.

“But don’t worry, we can behave perfectly (after) our mistakes, without a problem.”

The chanting and vandalism was not the only unsavoury issue surrounding the game.

Merseyside Police are investigating after a complaint was made that Man City’s team bus was attacked after the game.

Guardiola also claimed he was pelted with coins by Liverpool fans while offensive graffiti was left in the away end. Guardiola was asked whether the incidents were proof that the rivalry between the two clubs had become toxic but the 51-year-old was keen to play down the suggestion.

“I don’t’ think so,” he added. “From our side, I’m pretty sure that [it hasn’t].”

Meanwhile, John Stones is set to return to the squad for the game against Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Stones has missed the last five games after picking up a hamstring injury while on England duty but returned to training this week.

“John has trained with us for the last two days and he’s on the list,” Guardiola said.