Posted: 22:35, 10 April 2022 | Updated: 23:40, 10 April 2022
Pep Guardiola complained about the fact that Manchester City had let Liverpool break away in the dramatic race for the Premier League title. City dominated long periods of a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, but missed a number of obvious opportunities. Substitute Riyad Mahrez could have won it in the delays – and sent City four points away – but he went over the bar with only Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson winning. Pep Guardiola mourned Manchester City for letting Liverpool escape the title race “I had the feeling that we missed an opportunity today,” said Guardiola. “I have the feeling that we are leaving them alive. But I told the team afterwards to keep their heads up – I do not want any sadness for a second. “Normally when you do a lot of good things and you do not win you are sad, but I said forget it. The last simple action that we may not have done, but I am happy and proud of my team “. Guardiola claimed that City could not afford to lose a single point because they were waiting for Liverpool to win the remaining seven games of the season. Riyad Mahrez cuts one goal in the delays with Man City failing to take all three points “We are fighting to the end,” he added. “He lost a game, we will not be champions. If we get a draw we will not be champions. “If we won today, we might have a chance to lose something in the future. It will be difficult – but for them too they have to win all the games. “It’s nice to say I saw that game. “The fists – we attack, they attack – the weapons that both teams have.” Jurgen Klopp was equally complementary to the spectacle, likening the exchange of blows to a heavyweight title fight. Phil Fontaine knelt after the painful miss, with Liverpool still one point behind City “What a game,” he said. ‘Wild. Best start for City. We can describe it as a boxing match. Both hands down for a second and you will have a huge hit. “You can shake a little and then comes the next blow from the other team. I liked a lot of things, I thought we were closer than ever. “At all times we played football and controlled the game. “We played very simple passes, we let them run and then we were really dangerous for them.” Liverpool improved a lot after the break and Klopp presented in detail the nice margins that lead to the separation of two teams that have accumulated amazing points in recent years. Jurgen Klopp likens thrilling collision to two boxers exchanging blows in a heavyweight bout “We are where we want to be, close to an incredible side,” he added. “If you do not have luck in life you are screwed … it is like three years ago, it was 17 millimeters here, 15 millimeters there. “We have to be close to perfection to win seven games in the Premier League. “It’s crazy, but that’s the only way to beat that team.” Kevin De Bruyne was unhappy with the sluggish way City started the second half, allowing Liverpool to equalize after 45 seconds. Kevin De Bruyne was unhappy with the sluggish way City started the second half “The way the second half started was very disappointing,” he said. “We know that with some opportunities they can score. “We created enough to win the game. It was a great opportunity in the end, Riyad crushes him and if he comes in, it was a wonderful goal. “We played very well and I think we had the upper hand but we did not win. That’s the way we need to play the rest of the season. “
