Pep Guardiola to face no punishment ‘disrespectful’ Liverpool reaction

Pep Guardiola will reportedly face no further action from the FA for his celebration after Manchester City equalised against Liverpool on Saturday. The Spaniard was criticised after reacting in the face of Kostas Tsimikas and Arthur with some labelling him as ‘disrespectful’ for his actions. 

City’s 4-1 win over Liverpool at the weekend looked comfortable on paper but the Sky Blues were given a fright in the early stages as the away side took the lead through Mo Salah. 

However, the lead did not last long with Julian Alvarez levelling the scoreline just 10 minutes later sparking wild scenes across the Eithad. 

Guardiola was among those that got caught up in the excitement of the moment. Touchline cameras caught the 52-year-old celebrating in the faces of both Tsimkas and then Arthur as they walked through his technical area after completing a warm-up with angry Liverpool fans taking to social media to protest his conduct. 

There had been calls for the Spaniard to face punishment for his actions however ESPN reports that this will not be the case with the FA planning to take no further action. 

Guardiola was asked about his reaction during his post-match press conference where he rallied against the charge that he had been disrespectful, instead stressing he was just trying to have a bit of a laugh. 

“Of course. Come on,” he said when asked if it was an attempt at humour. “Nah, come on. I’m so sorry.

“Speak with Tsimikas, speak with the others. Ask him if I lack respect. I celebrate the goal with my son on [the tier above].

“And I said, ‘the goal was nice, isn’t it?’. That’s all. I’m so sorry. Do you think it’s a lack of respect? Ah OK, sorry. I’m so sorry. “I was happy and I said how nice our goal was. That’s all.”

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was also among those questioning Guardiola’s antics at the time, wondering how Tsimikas and Arthur had managed to remain so calm.

Speaking on BT Sport he said: “That celebration there, I don’t know how Tsimkas hasn’t pushed the opposing manager Pep Guardiola out of the way.” 

City ended up running out comfortable winners in the second half with goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gungodan and Jack Grealish sealing a 4-1 win as the Citizens kept pace with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.