Pep Guardiola is waiting to learn if his reaction during Manchester City’s defeat to Liverpool is included in referee Michael Oliver’s report.
The Catalan furiously remonstrated with fourth official Mike Dean after seeing a second penalty appeal turned down at Anfield.
And after a 3-1 defeat that saw the Premier League champions slip to nine points behind Jurgen Klopp’s leaders, Guardiola dramatically thanked Oliver and his assistants.
But he was careful not to criticise the officials during his post-match interviews - insisting it was up to referees chief Mike Riley to explain how VAR failed to award Man City penalties in each half.
The visitors were infuriated when Trent Alexander-Arnold went unpunished for handling in the box moments before Fabinho fired Liverpool in front.
And Guardiola exploded on the touchline when the same player escaped punishment late on for another potential handball.
“Ask Mike Riley and the big bosses about that,” he said. “Don’t ask me. Ask Mike Riley and his people. I’m here to talk about the game.
“Every time I’m being asked why one day it’s handball, the next day it’s not. Don’t ask me. Ask them. I know the way we were champions last two seasons, I’m so proud of that.
“I’m uncomfortable because it looks like Pep is complaining, but congratulations to Liverpool, 3-1, could we have done differently on the second, third one – is it a penalty, isn’t it a penalty? I don’t know what with all these ifs, you don’t know what will happen in the future. Ask the big bosses.”
