Liverpool great Graeme Souness has claimed that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is too concerned with Sadio Mane and this weekend's opponents in the Premier League.
Guardiola clarified his 'diving' comments on Mane yesterday after Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was frustrated by the interview the Catalan gave in the wake of the dramatic action in the league last weekend.
Both City and Liverpool came back from behind to win 2-1 before Guardiola was asked about Klopp side's success against Aston Villa, with Mane having bagged the late winner in the 94th minute.
Guardiola said at the time: “Sometimes he’s diving, sometimes he has this talent to score incredible goals in the last minute. He’s a talent.”
The City manager has since said he had no intention to label Mane a diver and ahead of the Champions League clash this evening against Atalanta, he explained: "It was far from my intention to say that Sadio Mane is that type of player."
The back and forth has played out ahead of a crucial clash between the two sides on Sunday as City hope to cut the current six-point gap between themselves and Liverpool.
Souness claims the comments suggest Guardiola is too focused on goings on at Liverpool amid suggestions of mind games from the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager.
"I'd be encouraged if I was in the Liverpool camp," Souness told VMSport ahead of his old team's win over Genk in the Champions League.
"Soon after City's game finished he talked about his own team and then immediately he came out with his remarks regarding Sadio Mane.
"You're thinking too much about Mane and Liverpool immediately after the game. I'd be encouraged by that if I was a Liverpool player or member of staff. All you can do in football is be concerned with your own lot and the next game."
