Pep Guardiola was apoplectic with the performance of referee Paul Tierney before Manchester City lodged a complaint with Liverpool over fan behaviour in the stands.
City alleged that a member of their backroom team, sat behind Guardiola in the dugout, was spat at during the second half of Sunday's pulsating 2-2 draw at Anfield.
The incident is said to have taken place in the immediate aftermath of Phil Foden’s equaliser for the Premier League champions, with Liverpool now investigating the allegation. City say they have footage of the fan.
Pep Guardiola was angry at fourth official Mike Dean as he felt City were not getting decisions
Guardiola confirmed in his post-match interview on Sky that a member of staff was spat at
‘I heard someone from the crowd saying something not nice to our staff but I don’t know exactly what,’ Guardiola said.
’I didn’t see the images. Liverpool is much, much greater than one person so nothing will change (in how) I admire this club, absolutely not.
‘The same thing happened a few years ago when they destroyed our bus when we came here. It is certain people, not Liverpool FC. It is always a pleasure to come to this stadium; it’s an honour for this atmosphere, how they support the team.’
The City manager had been left seething on the touchline during a frenetic second period, when he twice saw his team come from behind to battle to a draw.
The alleged incident with the supporter comes just three years after Reds fans pelted the City team bus with bottles ahead of a Champions League semi-final at Anfield
Guardiola suggested Tierney had shied back from showing James Milner a second yellow card for a foul on Bernardo Silva before Liverpool’s right back was hooked and Guardiola booked following his animated protestations.
‘Referees have emotions and he (Tierney) knows when he’s going to see the action he will know it’s a yellow card,’ he added.
’I understand the pressure, the referee has the pressure, a decision has to be made in one second.
‘It was clear, with 25 minutes left and at that moment it was 1-1. Now I’m more or less satisfied because we drew, but had we lost I would be more angry.
Guardiola felt referee Paul Tierney should have sent James Milner for a second yellow card
Guardiola said City were not getting decisions going their way at Anfield and Old Trafford
The Spaniard admitted the draw had left him satisfied after City twice pegged Liverpool back
'It’s clear. It’s Anfield, it’s (like) Old Trafford. In our situation a City player is sent off – 100 per cent.’
Guardiola embraced Milner in the tunnel around half an hour after full-time, the
