Pep Guardiola responds to De Bruyne row after fury at substitution vs Liverpool
Pep Guardiola has urged Kevin De Bruyne to prove him wrong after their touchline bust-up at Anfield.
The Belgian playmaker was not happy at being substituted during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Merseyside. He voiced his complaints to both Guardiola and members of the City backroom team as he trudged off before taking his seat on the bench.
City boss Guardiola then sat next to De Bruyne on the bench to explain his thinking as the pair debated the rights and wrongs of the Spaniard's decisions, with Mateo Kovacic called on to replace him at a time where Liverpool had equalised and were creating the better chances and in the ascendency.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola insisted he was not too bothered by De Bruyne's reaction, and sent him a challenge as the Premier League title race hots up.
Guardiola said: "That's good. Have a chance next game to prove it, to prove how wrong I was. We need a player who keeps the ball. It's not about pressing. Kovacic is really good at that. We were happy with Kevin. It's not a problem. We're fine."
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City were under immense pressure when De Bruyne was replaced, with Liverpool having cancelled out John Stones ' opener through Alexis Mac Allister's penalty.
Guardiola added: "We started really well but they are incredible team. We had our moments, they had theirs. The way they play it is not easy. We take the point. First half we had momentum, lots of chances first half.
"And after we gave away the penalty, we suffered. It was a good game for the spectators."
Kevin De Bruyne was frustrated after being taken off against Liverpool (Getty Images)Who was the man-of-the match in Liverpool's draw with Man City? Share your thoughts in the comments below
The draw leaves the title race on a knife edge with just one point separating the top three. After a thrilling showdown, Guardiola was full of praise for both his side and Liverpool.
He said: "I know how difficult it is at Anfield. It is difficult at Etihad too, Liverpool have not won there in eight years. We prove, both sides we are incredible competitors. I would prefer a win but they prove for many years the quality they have. It was good from everyone."
Asked about his relationship with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp too, Guardiola added: "We wouldn't need a hug to show that [respect]. He defends his club, I defend mine. Our history speaks for itself. We still have 10 games to go, many things can happen."
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