Liverpool took a 3-0 lead at halftime, thanks to a first-half performance that Jürgen Klopp called the best of his reign plus a disastrous mistake by Stephen, who suffered a backlash from John Stones and allowed Santo Mane to score. a tackle. The American international was one of the seven changes made by Guardiola from the team that started the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday at Atletico Madrid. He was adamant that there was no alternative between an exhausting program and the pursuit of the Premier League title. The City coach insisted: “We had a lot of games and travels and a lot of important games and that’s why I chose the team. The first goal was set, where Liverpool is so strong and scores a lot of goals, and the second was an accident. We then conceded a goal in the last minute of the first half, but then we showed incredible pride. We did not look tired after scoring because football is momentum. We had the most clear chances and scored goals. It is not easy to do this against Liverpool. We fought to the end and showed our pride “. Guardiola confirmed that Rodri and Riyad Mahrez were fit to play at Wembley, but his other changes from Madrid, including Kevin De Bruyne, all had fitness problems. He added: “Ruben [Dias] had seven weeks off, Kyle [Walker] could not play and [Ilkay] Gudogan had a blow to the knee. It is what it is when you play a lot of games. When everyone is in shape we are fine, but to play Madrid, Liverpool, Madrid, Liverpool in a short time meant that we had to switch players. We know that when we get to this stage of the season and fight for titles, it can be difficult. “It was difficult today – but we reacted in a great way and we were close to coming back.” Pep Guardiola said that Manchester City had to make changes due to its roster. Photo: Mark Greenwood / Shutterstock The City manager also insisted that it would be unfair not to play with Stephen, his home cup winner this season, and that his mistake was a danger according to the team’s strategy. Guardiola explained: “I have not spoken to Jacques. It was an accident, but we need to try because that’s how we play our football. It was an accident, it happens. Eddie [Ederson] was close to the last game. We need to create our football we use our goalkeeper to transport our opponents in different situations. I’m sure Jacques didn’t want to do it. Sometimes the attackers fail in front of the goalkeeper, other times the goalkeeper makes a mistake. It was a decision [to play him] from days ago. It’s unfair when you play cups and you do not play them. He deserves to play and then he made a good game. “He made good saves and is an excellent goalkeeper.” Klopp claimed that Mane’s “acceleration and desire” was more responsible for Liverpool’s second goal than Stephen’s mistake and praised an excellent first half. “I think it was [the best first-half display of his reign], that was the feeling I had when I saw it, with the quality of the opponent. You saw in the second half how good they really are. To deny them in so many moments, to create your own opportunities and use them is very difficult. “The first half was excellent in almost all parts of the game.” City apologized to Liverpool and condemned the fans who shouted during a minute of silence to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster before the start. Referee Michael Oliver interrupted the intended celebration after some City fans did not honor the tribute. The Fiver: sign up and receive our daily football email. A City spokesman said: “Manchester City are extremely disappointed with the actions of some City fans during the one-minute silence before today’s game. “The club sincerely apologizes to all those associated with the Liverpool Football Club.” Klopp replied: “Of course we accept their apology. We never thought it was Man City, although there were some people who did not understand the situation and that was not nice and they felt really wrong at the time. “We can not change that and it has nothing to do with City.”
