Pep Guardiola breaks silence on full-time incident with Darwin Nunez after Man City vs Liverpool

Pep Guardiola has responded after the Manchester City boss was involved in a heated discussion with Liverpool star Darwin Nunez.

City were held to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday by Liverpool after Erling Haaland’s opener was cancelled out by a sweet strike from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The home side also had a goal ruled out by VAR after Manuel Akanji was adjudged to have fouled Alisson Becker before Ruben Dias poked home from a corner.

As the final whistle sounded, City boss Guardiola was spotted having a heated discussion with Liverpool striker Nunez.

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders kept Guardiola away as Reds boss Jurgen Klopp dragged Nunez away from the scene.

Speaking after the match, Guardiola was asked to comment on the incident.

According to The Echo, the City manager said: “He's just stronger than me! It's not frustration, I'm really pleased. The second question, you ask that? Maybe the last question. I am incredibly please. We know how tough they are.”

Klopp was also asked for his reaction to the incident during his post-match interview, the German replied: “I'm not the one to explain because I wasn't involved surprisingly! And I didn't understand a word…”

Speaking about his team’s overall performance, Guardiola told BBC’s Match of the Day: “That was an excellent performance. I am really proud that after eight years we are still playing that way. We were really good in all departments and needed to be against an incredible team.

“Maybe we missed the last pass a little bit but they defended really well. To concede just two shots on target against Liverpool is a big compliment for the way we work.”

On the back of the 1-1 draw, City remain top of the Premier League as they hold a narrow one-point lead over Liverpool.

However, this has now opened the doors for Arsenal, who will go top if they manage to get all three points when they travel to the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening to take on Thomas Frank's Brentford.