Pep Guardiola Labelled A 'Bottle Job' By Furious Manchester City Fan After FA Cup Semi-Final Defeat

A furious Manchester City supporter has labelled Pep Guardiola a "bottle job" for his team selection in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool.

Guardiola made seven changes to his starting line-up for the match, which came just three days after City's intense Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool would go on to win the semi-final 3-2 after racing into a three-goal lead before half-time.

A City supporter named Mark rang up talkSPORT to voice his anger at Guardiola's tactics in both the FA semi-final and last season's Champions League final defeat to Chelsea.

"I'm really disappointed because I think that Guardiola is a bottle job," the fan told the show's host, former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor.

"He bottled it in the Champions League final and he's bottled it again tonight.

"He's changed the team because he's afraid to lose and [Jurgen] Klopp is not scared to win. That’s what’s happened."

Agbonlahor pointed out to the fan that unlike City, Liverpool were able to rest some of their key players in their own Champions League quarter-final second leg against Benfica on Wednesday night.

However, the supporter hit back at the suggestion that fatigue could be the reason for City's defeat, blaming it instead on Guardiola's tinkering.

"Come on Gabby, every time… before the Champions League final, it was going superbly. The team was great. You get to the final and he changes the whole team and they lose," added the fan.

"He did it today against Liverpool because he knows he can't win the game. He's bottled it against Liverpool because he knows Liverpool are the better team.

"He changed the team so he's got an excuse to lose."

Speaking after the defeat, Guardiola said he was happy with his team selection.

"I have a lot of confidence in my players and the selection, I trust a lot of them," he said.

"We had it terrible in terms of fixtures and travel and a lot of important games. That’s why we needed fresh legs."

While they are no longer able to win the FA Cup this season, City still could end the campaign as Premier League and Champions League winners.  

They face Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League and are one point ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

Should City go on to win the league this season, it will be Guardiola's fourth league title since arriving at the Etihad.

Not bad for a so-called 'bottle job'.