After his Manchester City side put on a show for the watching nation, Pep Guardiola did very similar in his post-match media commitments.
At the conclusion of a difficult week which saw City dumped out of the Champions League in dramatic fashion, Guardiola had the last laugh following a 5-0 win over Newcastle United. The Sky Blues took a major step towards a fourth Premier League title in five seasons, moving three points clear of Liverpool after they could only draw with Tottenham on Saturday. Just days after their capitulation at the hands of Real Madrid, City silenced a few doubters with an emphatic victory over the Magpies.
And a vastly more relaxed Guardiola took the opportunity to take on a number of vendettas, including his belief that Liverpool have the support of neutrals in the race for the title. "Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone, of course, because Liverpool has an incredible history behind in European competition,” he explained.
"Not in the Premier League, because they've won one in 30 years - but it's not a problem at all. The situation is what it is." He continued: "The people want Liverpool to win more than us. It’s not an issue. It’s normal. Maybe they have more supporters all around the world and in England maybe more support Liverpool than us.”
And he continued on that angle when speaking to the assembled press, suggesting to one that he was a Liverpool supporter. Asked if he was pleased with his team’s display, he fired back: “Did you have doubts? Yes, you are a Liverpool fan. Come on.”
However, after being corrected that the reporter in question was actually a Manchester United supporter, quick as a flash the Spaniard laughed and said: “I’m sorry!”
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His dig comes as United’s miserable season reached a new nadir after being thrashed 4-0 by Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Defeat to the Seagulls means United are now guaranteed to record their lowest ever points tally with beleaguered interim boss Ralf Rangnick issuing an apology to fans for their humiliating performance.
Asked if the showing was the worst of his disappointing time in charge, the 63-year-old told Sky Sports: "Yes, it was from the first to the last minute.
"We were second best. We can only apologise to the supporters. It was a terrible performance and a humiliating defeat. We gave them too much time, too much space.
“We couldn't get into a position to stop them playing through our lines. The game plan was completely different. We told the players to be as compact as possible and then to release pressure on them. We couldn't stop them.
"We gave them too much time, too much space. We couldn't get into a position to stop them playing through our lines. The game plan was completely different. We told the players to be as compact as possible and then to release pressure on them. We couldn't stop them.”
