Pep Guardiola issues apology on behalf of Manchester City amid continued Liverpool fall-out
Pep Guardiola has issued an apology on behalf of Manchester City Football Club.
Widespread backlash has dominated discussions following Manchester City's slender 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.
The Premier League Champions succumbed to their first defeat of the campaign on Merseyside, as Mo Salah capitalised on a Joao Cancelo mistake in the 76th minute.
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City, who had an early second-half goal from Phil Foden disallowed for a foul in the build-up, revealed on Monday that their team bus had been damaged leaving Anfield.
Merseyside Police have since published a statement, confirming they have received a report of alleged criminal damage and are investigating.
Pep Guardiola also revealed in the aftermath of the defeat that he had be targeted by coins that had been thrown from Liverpool supporters in the home end.
Manchester City are also widely claimed to have reacted angrily to pre-match comments made by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, as the German manager discussed the Blues' finances.
Liverpool Football Club also published a statement following Sunday's fixture, condemning chanting and graffiti relating to football stadium tragedies from the Manchester City away section.
Speaking on Friday, ahead of City's Premier League clash with Brighton, Pep Guardiola issued an apology on behalf of the club.
"I didn't hear the chants. If it happened I'm so sorry, [it] doesn't represent what we are as a team or a club. If this happens," said Guardiola.
Despite the backlash, Guardiola revealed that he didn’t consider the rivalry to have become toxic.
"I don't think so. From our side, I'm pretty sure," replied the City boss.
Incident has dominated recent meetings between the two North West clubs, with UEFA fining Liverpool €20,000 in 2018 after fans attacked the City team bus prior to a Champions League Quarter-Final.
Last season, the Reds opened an investigation after City reported that a Liverpool fan had spat at a member of the Blues' backroom staff during a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Manchester City are looking to bounce back to winning ways on Saturday when they welcome Brighton to the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola's side are four points behind league leaders Arsenal coming into this weekend's fixtures.
The Blues are unbeaten at home so far this season, thrashing Southampton 4-0 in their last outing at the Etihad.
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Liverpool, Premier League, Brighton And Hove Albion
Harry Winters