01 April 2023 , 17:02
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Liverpool substitute Arthur Melo bizarrely shook hands with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola as the Spaniard celebrated his side's opening goal in their thrashing of the Reds.
The visitors had gone a goal ahead through Mohamed Salah, but Julian Alvarez equalised 10 minutes later. From there, City took total control, with second-half goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish sealing a thumping win.
But it was Guardiola's celebration of Alvarez's goal that caught the eye and left Liverpool fans enraged. The jubilant City boss jumped in the air pumping his fists towards the celebrating home crowd as a group of Liverpool substitutes walked past him.
Guardiola first turned to Kostas Tsimikas, putting his hand out looking for a high-five, though the Greek defender ignored him. The City boss instead gave him a quick tap on the chest before moving on to Arthur.
He stuck his hand out for a handshake, with the Reds midfielder duly obliging as he smiled and joked with Guardiola. After Arthur had walked past, Guardiola turned back towards the crowd, though he insisted after the game that he was not being disrespectful.
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"I was happy and I said [to Tsimikas] how nice our goal was. I’m so sorry. Ask him if I lack respect, ask Tsimikas. I celebrate the goal the way I do with my son. I’m so sorry. Do you think it’s a lack of respect? Ah ok, I’m so sorry!" Guardiola said sarcastically.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Was Pep Guardiola being disrespectful with his celebrations? Comment below.
Guardiola was criticised for being disrespectful in his celebrations (James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)Arthur's reaction left Liverpool fans furious though, with many slamming the Brazilian. One supporter wrote: "Put him on the first flight back to Turin." Another added: "Cancel his contract. What’s the point."
While a third said: "Love Kostas even more for refusing the handshake. Arthur though? And the big smile after??" Guardiola's reaction also left pundits confused, with Rio Ferdinand insisting the Spaniard was lucky Tsimikas did not react.
The Manchester United legend reacted to the incident on BT Sport at half-time, saying: "That celebration there, I don't know how Tsimikas hasn't pushed him out of the way... He couldn't contain himself."
Guardiola had plenty more celebrating to do as his City side delivered a second-half masterclass to thump the Reds. The Spaniard was understandably delighted with the win, though they remain eight points behind Arsenal in the title race.
"From the first minute until the 93rd minute, it was almost the perfect performance. Even 0-1 down, we were playing well and Jack [Grealish] made a good save to stop a potential 0-2," Guardiola told BBC Sport.
"The way we played, the way we found our spaces for how they defend. Our intensity, high pressing. Of course, we fight to chase Arsenal and they are not used to being in this position.
"Last season they were two games from a quadruple and now they are playing to be in the top four - it would be incredibly difficult for us as well. As a part of that, you have to perform the way we performed. We were so stable and stuck to the plan. All the players were magnificent."