‘An action’… Micah Richards shares unseen KDB moment just before Pep took him off for Man City at Liverpool

Redaction Simon Brett with Tom Procter
Published on 2024-03-11 18:30:00

Micah Richards observed a moment between Kevin De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola that may have led to the substitution of the Belgian midfielder during Manchester City’s match against Liverpool. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with John Stones opening the scoring for City before Alexis Mac Allister equalized from the penalty spot.

Guardiola’s decision to replace De Bruyne with Mateo Kovacic on 69 minutes surprised many, as De Bruyne is a key player for City. However, Richards revealed that there was an incident before the substitution that TV cameras did not capture. De Bruyne’s reaction to a misplaced pass seemed to irk Guardiola, prompting the manager to make a statement by taking him off.

Guardiola later explained that he made the change to regain control of the match, as De Bruyne, despite assisting in the goal, had not been impactful. De Bruyne’s tendency to take risks with the ball could lead to dangerous transitions for the opposition, especially at Anfield.

While the substitution initially raised eyebrows, Kovacic’s introduction proved to be a strategic move by Guardiola. The Croatian midfielder provided stability in midfield and helped City maintain control against an ascendant Liverpool side.

Richards discussed this decision on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, highlighting the unseen moment between De Bruyne and Guardiola. Although De Bruyne’s on-field reaction may not have directly influenced the substitution, it shed light on Guardiola’s desire for tactical discipline and control in crucial moments. Ultimately, Guardiola’s decision to replace De Bruyne with Kovacic was a calculated move that helped City secure a valuable point away at Anfield.

Read Original article on Manchester City News