Guardiola sarcastically thanks Liverpool employees after bus trip

Pep Guardiola was visibly upset when he arrived with his Manchester City team at Anfield on Wednesday night, sarcastically thanking Liverpool staff for non-existent protection from fans.

The City team bus was afforded the most hostile of receptions from Reds supporters as it made its way to the ground for their Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie.

Liverpool supporters covered every inch of the route up to the stadium and Guardiola’s side were greeted by the raucous scenes of flares and flags.

However, some fans overstepped the mark, with bottles and flares both being launched at the coach, which had it’s front door window smashed, along with other damage to its exterior.   

Manel Estiarte, a confidante of Guardiola, shared footage of scenes on the City bus, which was filled with smoke from some of the pyrotechnics, and labelled the situation ‘unacceptable’.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss clearly felt the same and was seething as he got off having finally arrived at Anfield having negotiated the crowds.

The Manchester City boss was clearly fuming after no protection was afforded to his side

In footage posted by Marca, Guardiola can clearly be seen picking out Liverpool employees to make a point at the dangerous situation they had just endured. 

‘Thank you for protecting us, thank you so much,’ he could be saying to members of staff, giving them the thumbs up too as he fumed at the lack of security his side had been afforded. 

‘I appreciate what you have done,’ he added as he marched into the building before muttering under his breath ‘shame’ as he walked through the mixed zone at Anfield.   

The reception was a sign of things to come for City, as they struggled to cope with the hostile atmosphere inside the ground, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat. 

City players were jeered and whistled continuously whilst in possession as Liverpool fans continued in their attempts to affect the visitors following their unpleasant welcome.