Pep Guardiola defends Jurgen Klopp after backlash for playing weakened team in FA Cup

Pep Guardiola has backed rival boss Jurgen Klopp over his decision to take stand over Liverpool's FA Cup replay.

Klopp has been criticised for his decision not to pick any first-team players for next week's replay against Shrewsbury, because it clashes with Liverpool's mid-season break.

The Liverpool boss has also said he will not take charge of his side for the game, with Guardiola supporting Klopp over his decision to pick a weakened side.

“Listen, We accept the schedules of the competitions, the games every two or three days,” said Guardiola.

“But don’t tell the manager which the selection he has to choose, please. That’s our job.

Pep Guardiola has backed Jurgen Klopp's decision to play a weakened team (Action Images via Reuters)

“They do what they want to do and we will be there - which day, at this time, we’ll be there - but it’s not for them to tell us which players we have to play in games. That’s our duty.”

Asked if he would follow Klopp's lead and refuse to manage City for a game on a point of principle, Guardiola said: “I don’t know, I’m not there.

“I'm not Jurgen and I have no comment. He knows exactly what he has to do, he knows his club and his team.

“I respect incredibly the managerial positions they take, because I'm part of that.

“I'm involved in that and I know how difficult it is to take a decision sometimes.

Klopp was criticised for declaring he won't pick first-team players for the Shrewsbury game (Getty Images)

“But of course I'm not going to comment, because I’ve not enough information to give my opinion.”

Guardiola also moved to clarify his post-match comments about the failure of City fans to fill the Etihad for Sunday's 4-0 FA Cup win over Fulham, which drew a crowd of just 39,000.

The City boss was criticised by the club's official supporters' group for ostensibly not understanding the financial pressures on fans to attend every game.

But Guardiola hit back and said: “I understand it. Of course I understand it. Never was it my intention to offend them They are part of us.

“But since I arrived here from day one, we fight to see Etihad Stadium full every single game. It belongs to us to play good, to seduce them to come.

Guardiola seemed unhappy with City's attendance for the FA Cup game against Fulham (Action Images via Reuters)

“The only reason I do my job is to see the Etihad Stadium full.

“Since I arrived here I learned how important the Premier League and FA Cup are, more important than the Champions League, much, much more.

“It was my mistake that I thought Sunday, 1pm, it would be full, and I didn’t know it was on BBC One, not Sky.”