A furious Pep Guardiola was involved in a sarcastic handshake with referee Michael Oliver after a controversial decision helped Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-1 in Sunday’s key Premier League title race clash.
The City boss sought out Oliver on the pitch following the defeat at Anfield, which leaves his side nine points adrift of Jürgen Klopp’s men, and was clearly picked up on TV cameras saying: “Thank you so much! Thank you so much!”
The decision in question came less than ten minutes into the game, as City were denied a penalty when the ball struck Trent Alexander-Arnold on the arm inside the penalty area.
Oliver waved play on, and as Sergio Aguero led the City protests, Liverpool broke and took the lead through Fabinho’s rasping 25-yard strike.
Mo Salah doubled the lead, before Sadio Mane made it three shortly after half-time, and though Bernardo Silva added a late consolation, it was not enough.
Guardiola was also left incensed late on when City were denied a penalty for a second time, again against Alexander-Arnold, though on the latter occasion he had much less reason to feel aggrieved.
He was shown berating the fourth official, and then met Oliver himself in the centre circle after the game, but when asked whether his handshake with the referee was anything other than genuine, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “No way. I congratulate them.”
