Manchester City's losing streak in the Premier League has reached four games, a record that Pep Guardiola will want to forget quickly and return to winning ways.
A 2-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday, 1 December 2024 left Guardiola even more exposed to critics.
Liverpool fans took the opportunity to target the Spanish tactician with harsh taunts. However, the Manchester City manager delivered a cheeky response to the mocking chants, indicating that he would not stay silent in the face of criticism.
Defiant Guardiola hits back at Liverpool fans
As Liverpool fans chanted, “You are getting sacked in the morning,” Guardiola did not let the taunts go unanswered.
Instead, the Spaniard responded by holding up six fingers, indicating the number of titles he has won since arriving at the Etihad Stadium. This was not only a clever comeback to the jibes but also a proud display of his accomplishments as Manchester City manager.
Liverpool fans chant “you're getting sacked in the morning” to Pep Guardiola ?
Pep responds with six fingers, one for each Premier League title ?#LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/T4UUmuaNax
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 1, 2024
Manchester City's defeat at Anfield is not a new occurrence. However, the timing of this loss, as Guardiola's team seems to be losing its hold on Premier League dominance this season, has made them a target for criticism and mockery.
On 1 December, Pep Guardiola's team suffered their sixth loss in their last 10 visits to Anfield. Guardiola took over as manager of Manchester City in the summer of 2016, and he experienced his first defeat against the Reds at Anfield on 31 December 2016. This loss ignited a fierce rivalry with then-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Guardiola has only achieved one Premier League victory at Anfield since his arrival in England, and he had some words for Liverpool fans after the match on Sunday.
Speaking to the press, the Spaniard remarked, “I'm very proud of my six Premier League titles.”
He then addressed the Liverpool fans, saying, “I did not expect Anfield to chant that I will be sacked in the morning, but it’s fine; it is what it is. When you win, you laugh—maybe they are right! I did not expect that at Anfield. Perhaps they should have sung it in the past.”
A lesson to build on
Man City's defeat on Sunday at Anfield leaves them in fifth place on the Premier League table, with 23 points, tied with fourth-placed Brighton and 11 points behind the top position currently held by Liverpool.
The recent dip in form means Man City find themselves in a tricky situation as far as their title hopes are concerned. But the fact that the Citizens are just two points shy of the second spot leaves the top four slots up for grabs.
Liverpool will visit Etihad Stadium in February next year, which should give City a chance to revenge.
At the end of his address to the media after the match at Anfield, Guardiola expressed hope that the defeat would mark the beginning of rebuilding his team's confidence, allowing them to start winning matches.
He added, “From here, we will start building our confidence and winning games. I want the team back, I want my players back, we will make a reset from here. I can feel that.”