Kevin De Bruyne’s disgruntled reaction to being substituted during Manchester City’s draw at Liverpool was “good”, manager Pep Guardiola says.
Midfielder De Bruyne remonstrated with Guardiola when he was replaced by Mateo Kovacic in the 69th minute of the 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday, with the Spaniard later sitting next to him to engage in a discussion as the 32-year-old continued to argue his case.
Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty had brought Liverpool level five minutes into the second half, replying to John Stones’ 23rd-minute opener as neither side secured the win they required to displace Arsenal at the top of the table.
“It’s fine,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “We needed a player who could have the ball and keep it – it was not about pressing.
“Mateo is really good at that… he can keep the ball and make an extra pass, arrive in the box. It’s not a problem.”
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Asked for his thoughts on De Bruyne’s dissatisfaction, Guardiola said: “That’s good. He will have a chance in the next game to prove how wrong I was. We’re fine.”
De Bruyne set up Stones’ goal with a clever corner to the near post for his first direct goal involvement in three Premier League starts, having set up four goals and scored one in his previous four top-flight appearances.
Liverpool vs Man City result: Guardiola satisfied
City came under pressure from Liverpool after the interval, matching their opponents’ total of six attempts on target across the game but having only 10 of the 29 efforts overall.
“I know how difficult it is at Anfield, but the Etihad is difficult too,” said Guardiola. “In eight years, Liverpool haven’t won there.
“Both teams are incredible competitors. We would prefer to win but… the game we played was good for everyone.”
Roy Keane enjoyed Kevin De Bruyne’s reaction to being taken off 😅 PIC.TWITTER.COM/NGO5DP81DV
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) MARCH 10, 2024
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp is the only manager to have stopped City from winning the Premier League in the last six seasons, taking the title in style in 2019/20 as part of a managerial rivalry with Guardiola which has continued from the German’s time as boss of German giants Borussia Dortmund, with whom he took on Guardiola’s Bayern Munich.
Klopp has 12 wins to Guardiola’s 11 in their head-to-head record against each other, and the former Barcelona head coach was asked about their warm embrace on the sideline during what will be the Reds manager’s final season of his tenure.
“We don’t need a hug to show it,” Guardiola said, predicting that Klopp’s love for the game will entice him to return to football after a break. “He defends his club and I defend mine.”
