Pep Guardiola has confirmed coins were thrown towards him from the crowd during Manchester City’s defeat at Liverpool on Sunday.
The instances occurred during the second half of a fiery Premier League contest at Anfield, soon after City had a Phil Foden goal controversially disallowed.
The strike would have given City the lead but they eventually went on to lose 1-0 to a Mohamed Salah goal.
Speaking about the matter in his post-match press conference, Guardiola said sarcastically: “Next time we will do it better. It didn’t get me. They try it again next year.”
It is not the first time there has been crowd trouble around games involving Liverpool and City at Anfield, with the rivalry between the two clubs having grown considerably in recent years.
In 2018, City’s team bus was pelted with bottles and other objects as it arrived at the Merseyside ground for a Champions League encounter.
Reflecting further on the latest incident, Guardiola said: “All these coins, they tried, but didn’t get it. They got the coach years ago.”
Opposite number Jurgen Klopp had not been aware of the matter but apologised on behalf of the home club.
He said: “Oh, horrible. I am sorry. I apologise for that. I had no idea about it. It never should happen, never.”
Liverpool have condemned the incidences of crowd trouble at Anfield pledged to ban the perpetrators for life.
A club spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident involving objects being thrown into the technical area at today’s game.
“This is totally unacceptable behaviour and not the standards of behaviour we expect at Anfield.
“This incident will be fully investigated using CCTV and those found guilty will be punished, including a lifetime ban from Anfield and a possible football banning order.”
Liverpool issued a further statement referencing the behaviour of City supporters, highlighting chanting and graffitiing about the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies.
The statement read: “We are deeply disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies from the away section during today’s game at Anfield. The concourse in the away section was also vandalised with graffiti of a similar nature.
“We know the impact such behaviour has on the families, survivors and all those associated with such disasters.
“We are working with the relevant authorities in order to do our utmost to ensure these chants are eradicated from football altogether.”
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