Pep Guardiola reveals why he subbed Kevin De Bruyne off early after the Belgian star fumed at his boss for being taken off early during Man City’s draw at Liverpool
- Kevin De Bruyne was left angry when he was substituted during the draw against Liverpool
- The Belgian exchanged words with Pep Guardiola as he made his way to the bench
- CHRIS SUTTON and IAN LADYMAN give their title predictions (finally!) – It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Pep Guardiola insisted he was happy with Kevin De Bruyne’s angry reaction when he was substituted after several heated exchanges with the Belgian towards the end of a pulsating 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
De Bruyne was sacrificed to regain control as Liverpool overran City’s penalty area in the second half, and he looked furious as he took his place on the bench.
“I’m glad to see that!” said Guardiola. āI like it when he’s upset, that’s good. He is happy now. I knew what we were missing, we were missing keeping the ball. After (he left) we did better. But listen, Kevinā¦ what can I say for Kevinā¦ we need him and he is important.ā
The Catalan described playing at Anfield against Jurgen Klopp’s side as ‘like a tsunami’ after the Reds showered Manchester City with waves of chances in a 25-minute period in the second half, leaving the champions unable to control the contest.
The match could have gone either way, but Guardiola was delighted with the way his team handled Liverpool’s pressure in the second half after Alexis Mac Allister canceled out John Stones’ opener from the penalty spot.
Kevin De Bruyne had an unusually quiet evening against Liverpool at Anfield
The Belgian midfielder was taken off the field in the second half and raged at boss Pep Guardiola
āWe started very well, even before the goal, and played with huge personality,ā said the City manager. ‘After the first half it was difficult because they have (Wataru) Endo and (Alexis) Mac Allister, so they have extra passers and quality of play, whereas before it was more direct.
‘In the second half, in that stadiumā¦ you don’t have time. We gave away the penalty and sooner or later, for fifteen or twenty minutes, it feels like a tsunami! Oh my god, it comes for everyone, they have the ball and everything.
‘But after we had Mateo (Kovacic, second-half substitute), especially when he came on, we were able to make extra passes. They are very strong in their pressure and counter-pressure, which is not easy in this stadium. But we never stopped playing.
‘With Mateo and John (Stones) and Rodri we had the quality to play and keep the ball. We had our chances, they had their chances. We want to keep the ball, but sometimes that doesn’t work. But they are the best team I have ever seen in the press.’
Guardiola described playing at Anfield against JĆ¼rgen Klopp’s side as ‘like a tsunami’
Arsenal are the new leaders, with Liverpool trailing on goal difference and City a point behind.
On the title race, Guardiola said: ‘Liverpool has been our opponent for seven or eight years, we are always there. What we did against Jurgen’s team, gives me more appreciation for what we did! Thirty points to play for, one point difference. We are there.’