It's fair to say that Pep Guardiola wasn't particularly pleased after watching his side lose to Liverpool in Sunday's crucial Premier League clash.
In fact, it's more than probable. Anyone watching the game with a pair of working eyes could see the Manchester City boss was furious, feeling that a host of decisions - most prominently an early 'hand-ball' shortly prior to Liverpool's first goal that wasn't given by the referee or VAR - went against his side.
But before we get into the (over)reaction to the decision, let's contextualise it.
Man City want handball by Trent Alexander-Arnold before the Liverpool goal
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019
Are they hard done by?
Watch live now on Sky Sports PL or follow here: https://t.co/tIbipDtyYB pic.twitter.com/i4NUxTooqi
So with the Trent Alexander-Arnold handball we are left asking three things rather than one:
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) November 10, 2019
1) Was it a penalty?
2) Was it an attacking handball?
3) Would Bernardo Silva's handball have ruled out the penalty as it led to a goal-scoring chance?
It's a mess.
Official VAR ruling:
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) November 10, 2019
The ball struck Bernardo's hand first in the box - therefore not ruling a handball against Trent. No Penalty
Right, so that's cleared up.sort of.
It was certainly a contentious decision, and one that has, amazingly, split opinion. But one man who was particularly displeased was the City boss, who had.words.with the referee after the game. He just wanted to praise his performance. Nothing more to it.
Love this from Pep after the game. Looked like a handball to me before the first goal!
— Footy Away Days (@FootyAwayDays_) November 10, 2019
pic.twitter.com/1ygo66Z6Bv
Pep Guardiola is not happy 😡
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019
📺 Watch live now on Sky Sports PL or follow here: https://t.co/tIbipDtyYB pic.twitter.com/QBF18Z29mv
After treating himself to a Snickers and calming down a little, the City boss was gracious in defeat, saying that there is a long season ahead, and that he is proud of his players despite the poor result.
"Nothing is definitive today; it's important to be three points behind and not nine, that's obvious, but in this league it's a long, long way to go and anything can happen"
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 10, 2019
- Pep Guardiola#LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/034HaNC2Lx
"We showed why we are the champions"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019
Pep Guardiola was proud of his players despite defeat at Anfield
More: https://t.co/tIbipDtyYB pic.twitter.com/Du5TPzEuKh
But that wasn't the end of it.
He would then go on to assert that nothing about his interaction with the officials was sarcastic, though it should be noted he struggled to get through that sentence without laughing.
Guardiola on VAR, same as after Aston Villa game: "Ask Mike Riley and the big bosses." Insists his "thank you very much" to Oliver was not sarcastic. Journalist points out we can't speak to Mike Riley etc. Guardiola: "that's the point".
— Sam Lee (@SamLee) November 10, 2019
Guardiola shaking the ref's hand after the game 藍#LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/XwDClFpxDW
— Goal (@goal) November 10, 2019
City now sit in fourth place, having already lost three times by the 12-game mark.
It's hardly a disastrous start, but one that falls far below the usual standard expected of the champions.
Man City have 25 points from 12 games.
— bwin (@bwin) November 10, 2019
Pep Guardiola has never had fewer points at this stage of a season in his entire managerial career #LIVMCI #MCFC pic.twitter.com/lLANNCYv9T
Where are Manchester City finishing in the league this season?
— LFCVine (@LFCVine) November 10, 2019
pic.twitter.com/OjhGxGqCKa
Such a shame Manchester City have bowed out of the title race so early in the season but I guess that now makes it a two horse race between us and Liverpool.
— Deluded Brendan (@DeludedBrendan) November 10, 2019
Game on. pic.twitter.com/8p7p2TJwa4
The match also represented
Pep Guardiola has lost eight matches in all competitions against Jurgen Klopp – three more than he has against any other manager.#LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/dZX49vLjA5
— Goal (@goal) November 10, 2019
Jurgen Klopp is a better coach than Guardiola. Yes I said it pic.twitter.com/9M2AfmK4qH
— CindyBlog™ (@cindy_blog) November 10, 2019
I don't know how anyone can come to the conclusion that Klopp is better than Pep Guardiola.
— ᴼᴸᴬᴺᴿᴱᵂᴬᴶᵁ (@LANREWAJU_) November 8, 2019
Is it crack?
Source: 90min