Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola made use of his post-match media duties this evening to direct jibes at not only Liverpool, but also Manchester United.
The Spaniard was left fuming after James Milner was not sent off as his side drew 2-2 with Liverpool on Sunday.
Milner was given a yellow card in the first half after dragging down Phil Foden before taking down Bernardo Silva late on, avoiding a second yellow card.
Just minutes before Mo Salah put Liverpool back in front, Milner was guilty of scything down Bernardo Silva, as the Portuguese broke into the hosts’ half.
The incident looked as clear-cut a yellow card as imaginable, yet, upon reflection, referee Paul Tierney opted against brandishing a 2nd booking in the direction of the stand-in Reds defender.
Pep Guardiola was not at all shy in making his disillusionment with the decision clear at the time, and refused to bite his tongue post-match, too.
Speaking to the media in the aftermath of his side’s credible draw, the Spaniard made use of the opportunity to highlight his grievances with what he views as consistently favourable decisions going the way of the home side at not only Anfield, but also Old Trafford…
When asked if Milner should have been sent off, the Spaniard told Sky Sports: “It’s a yellow card. It’s a yellow card. It’s clear. It’s Anfield, it’s Old Trafford. In our situation a City player is sent off. It’s too much clear. It was a second yellow.”
Guardiola however refused to lay in to Tierney, although he said the referee will realise he has made a mistake once he views the replay.
Guardiola said: “Referees have emotions and he knows when he’s going to see the action he will know it’s a yellow card.
“I understand the pressure, the referee has the pressure, the player has the pressure, a decision has to be made in one second.
“Maybe yes, maybe no, but it was clear, 25 minutes left, at that moment it was 1-1. Now I’m more or less satisfied because we drew, but had we lost I would be more angry.”
These Guardiola’s comment has prompt Plenty of Sky Blues to react on social media.
Absolute facts
— BarnsleyBeckenbauer (@Johnnnrock5) October 3, 2021
Keep spittin Pep
— ¹⁰ (@SxrgioSZN) October 3, 2021
Pep on smoke. Go on baldy
— MH ⁷💙🏴 (@7Mcfcmax) October 3, 2021
Might get a ban for this lol
— James (@Deblueded) October 3, 2021
He’s spot on. If we would have played Chelsea at the bridge the ref wouldn’t even hesitate to give a second yellow. Double standards
— Lacomps (@lacomps) October 3, 2021
He’s completely spot on. Milner 100% would have been sent off if it was a City player, or if there wasn’t a crowd.
— Spectator of Sport (@WeetabixA) October 3, 2021
