Gabriel Jesus has voiced his unhappiness at being overlooked for Manchester City’s late penalty against Liverpool but accepted Pep Guardiola should have the final say.
The City manager apologised to the Brazil international after refusing his request to take the 86th minute spot-kick that could have delivered a significant victory at Anfield on Sunday. Guardiola instructed Riyad Mahrez to take the penalty with Sergio Agüero on the bench, despite the Algeria international’s poor record from 12 yards. That now stands at five misses in eight attempts after his penalty soared high into the Anfield Road stand.
Jesus, who replaced Agüero in the 65th minute at Anfield, believed he was supposed to be City’s second choice penalty taker behind the Argentina international. And the striker made his feelings clear after the goalless draw.
“Obviously I’m not happy,” the 21-year-old said. “Like Riyad, I’ve been practicing [the penalties]. I would like to have taken it, I was confident, so I was not happy that they did not allow me. However, it was important that we didn’t lose.”
Guardiola passed on his penalty instruction to Mahrez and Jesus via Benjamin Mendy and also explained his decision to the Brazilian after the game. Jesus added: “Pep spoke with me. This is part of football, sometimes these things happen. I will support Riyad if the manager chooses him again.”
