In response to Gerrard, Guardiola apologizes
For his “unnecessary and dumb statements” made during his news conference on Friday afternoon, Pep Guardiola has apologized to Steven Gerrard for bringing up the Liverpool captain’s infamous slip from 2014 while defending his Manchester City club.
When Guardiola brought up Gerrard’s error against Chelsea, which helped hand the title to Guardiola and his squad that season, he was showing his pride in City’s past under their Abu Dhabi ownership after the Premier League smacked City with more than 100 finance-related charges.
At his earlier Friday afternoon press conference, Guardiola remarked, “I don’t know if we are to blame for Steven Gerrard tripping at Anfield. “Was that our fault? Although I appreciate Gerrard, that moment belongs to us.”
Erling Haaland of Manchester City is expected to be available for Wednesday night’s match at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, although Pep Guardiola declined to provide an official word on the matter (7.30 pm).
Riyad Mahrez took the penalty that City was awarded, despite the No. 9 being the designated taker this season, while Haaland, who had started the game for Aston Villa, was substituted out at halftime with a thigh injury. Guardiola said his replacement was preventative in the win-related remarks.
After the club shared images of the striker working out on social media on Monday, fans of City became more optimistic that he will be featured at the Emirates. But before deciding on his lineup, the City Manager stated he would have to wait until the session on Tuesday.