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Pep Guardiola: Manchester City boss apologises for Steve Gerrard slip comments he calls 'stupid'
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Published 14/02/2023 at 17:03 GMT
The Manchester City manager was in a reflective mood when reflecting on the Liverpool captain's slip in 2014 which ultimately gave City the title at the Reds' expense. Guardiola apologised for saying: "I don't know if we are responsible for Steven Gerrard slipping at Anfield. Was that our fault? I have respect for Steven Gerrard - but that moment belongs to us."
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Video credit: SNTV
Pep Guardiola has apologised to Steven Gerrard regarding his comments referring to the former Liverpool’s captain’s famous slip in 2014 which ultimately helped Manchester City win the title.
Guardiola was on the defensive last week after it emerged that City had been charged with more than 100 offences of financial misconduct by the Premier League.
Speaking in a press conference last week, he said: "Some moments belong to us - they absolutely belong to us regardless of the sentence.
"The (title-winning) goal from (Sergio) Aguero, when (Mario) Balotelli slipped (in 2012)? I don't know if we are responsible for Steven Gerrard slipping at Anfield. Was that our fault? I have respect for Steven Gerrard - but that moment belongs to us."
However, the Man City boss was in reflective mood as he addressed the media ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal and admitted the comments were rather ill-advised in hindsight.
"I apologise to Steven Gerrard for my unnecessary and stupid comments I said the last time about him. He knows how I admire him and his career, what he has done for this country that I am living and training in," he added.
"I am ashamed of myself, what he said because he doesn't deserve it. I truly believe my comments in my previous press conference to defend my club, but I didn't represent my club well putting his name in these stupid comments.
"I apologise and I said to him personally but I have to do it here as well. I'm so sorry for him, for Alex, his wife, kids and family because it was stupid."
Guardiola also spoke about the fitness of Erling Haaland and explained that a decision will only be made regarding his selection after Tuesday’s training session. He was withdrawn at half-time in City’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.
“We train this afternoon. Right now I don’t know. Yesterday was about recovery from Aston Villa. That’s all.”
A win for Cityzens would see them leapfrog the Gunners into top spot, but a win for Mikel Arteta’s side will extend their lead at the summit to six points.
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