Manchester City’s backroom staff make complaint after allegedly being SPAT at by a Liverpool fan in second half of Anfield clash – while Pep Guardiola says he is ‘pretty sure’ incident occurred and hopes Reds will take measures
- Member of City backroom staff allegedly spat on after Phil Foden equalised
- City have submitted formal complaint and investigation is ongoing
- Premier League champions believe the incident was caught on camera
- Guardiola says he is ‘pretty sure’ the incident happened but did not see it himself
- Liverpool fans attacked City bus on the way to Anfield in March 2018
Manchester City have filed an official complaint after a member of their coaching staff was allegedly spat on by a Liverpool fan during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Anfield.
The Premier League champions believe the unidentified member of the backroom staff was targeted as City staff and substitutes celebrated Phil Foden’s equaliser in the second half.
According to Sky Sports, City have caught the incident on one of their cameras and an investigation is understood to be ongoing.
The incident reportedly happened after Phil Foden’s equaliser in the second half
Foden’s 69th minute goal cancelled out Sadio Mane’s opener for Liverpool at Anfield
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Pep Guardiola said he was ‘pretty sure’ the incident occurred, but admitted he had not witnessed it directly.
‘I didn’t know. I don’t know what happened. I heard someone from the crowd saying something not nice to our staff but I don’t know exactly what,’ he said.
‘I didn’t see the images. I’m pretty sure it happened, the people told me [that] Liverpool FC will take measures [against] this person.
‘Liverpool is much, much greater than one person so nothing will change [in how] I admire this club, absolutely not.’
Pep Guardiola said he was ‘fairly sure’ the incident had happened but did not see it himself
The alleged incident comes three years after City’s coach was targeted by bottles on its way to Anfield prior to the Champions League quarterfinal tie.
The intimidation clearly worked as City were swept aside 3-0 and were ultimately knocked out of the competition, while Liverpool went on to reach the final.
While City’s next two visits to Anfield passed without incidents, Guardiola said he hoped Liverpool fans and the Merseyside Police had put measures in place to avoid a repetition of the attack.
‘You can not imagine how bad it was,’ he said.
Manchester City’s bus was smashed up by Liverpool fans back in 2018 as it arrived at Anfield
Cans and bottles were thrown as Liverpool supporters looked to intimidate their rivals’ players
‘Hopefully, I wish it would never happen again. Hopefully they have sorted it out.
‘I am pretty sure the Liverpool police and people understood the situation and I hope it never happens again.’
Guardiola, however, insisted both incidents were isolated people and did not reflect Liverpool’s fan base as a whole.
The same thing happened two or three years ago when they destroyed our bus when we came here. It is certain people, not just Liverpool FC,’ he said.
Guardiola said he enjoyed the raucous Anfield atmosphere after a pulsating encounter
‘It is always a pleasure to come to this stadium; it’s an honour for this atmosphere, how they support the team.
When they score a goal, you are there and then in the next five minutes you are thinking, “oh, we are losing four-zero.”
‘The way they cheer and support the team is great.
‘It’s Anfield. The last two times we came here we played special, with huge personality. I am very pleased with that.’