Pep Guardiola defended his team selection and backup goalkeeper Zack Steffen after a terrible first-half performance that ruined Manchester City’s Treble chances in the FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
Liverpool led 3-0 at the break thanks to a first-half performance that Jurgen Klopp described as the best of his tenure, plus a fatal error by Steffen, who faltered on a back pass from John Stones, and Sadio Mané’s tackle to score enabled. The USA international was one of seven changes Guardiola made from the team that started Wednesday’s struggling Champions League quarter-finals at Atlético Madrid. He was adamant that amid a busy schedule and the pursuit of the Premier League title there was no alternative.
The City coach emphasized: “We had a lot of appointments and trips and a lot of important games, and that’s why I chose the team. The first goal was a set piece where Liverpool are so strong and score a lot of goals and the second was an accident. Then we conceded a goal in the last minute of the first half, but after that we showed incredible pride. We didn’t look tired after the goal because football is about momentum. We had the clearest chances and scored goals. It’s not easy against Liverpool. We fought to the end and showed our pride.”
Guardiola confirmed Rodri and Riyad Mahrez were fit to play at Wembley but his other moves from Madrid, including Kevin De Bruyne, all had fitness issues. He added: “Rúben [Dias] got seven weeks off, kyle [Walker] couldn’t play and [Ilkay] Gündogan was hit on the knee. It is what it is when you play a lot of games. When everyone is fit we’re fine, but to play Madrid, Liverpool, Madrid, Liverpool in a short space of time we had to rotate the players. We know that when we arrive at this stage of the season and fight for titles, it can be tough. It was difficult today – but we reacted really well and were close to coming back.”
Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City are being forced to make changes because of their game plan. Photo: Mark Greenwood/ShutterstockThe city manager also insisted it would have been unfair not to play Steffen, his domestic cup winners, this season and that his mistake was a risk in line with the team’s strategy. Guardiola explained: “I haven’t spoken to Zack. It was an accident but he has to try because that’s how we play our football. It was an accident, it happens. Edit [Ederson] was also close in the last game. We need that to create our football, we use our goalkeeper to put our opponents in different situations. I’m pretty sure Zack didn’t want that. Sometimes the strikers miss in front of the keeper, sometimes the keeper makes a mistake. It was a decision [to play him] from days ago. It’s unfair if you play cups and don’t play them. He deserved to play and after that he had a good game. He made good saves and is an exceptional goalkeeper.”
Claiming Mané’s “acceleration and will” were more responsible for Liverpool’s second goal than Steffen’s error, Klopp praised an exceptional first half. “I think it was [the best first-half display of his reign], that was the feeling I had when I saw it, with the quality of the opponent. You saw how good they really are in the second half. Denying them in so many moments, creating your own opportunities and using them is very difficult. The first half was outstanding in pretty much every part of the game.”
City apologized to Liverpool and condemned supporters who sang during a minute’s silence before kick-off to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. Michael Oliver, the referee, called off the intended memorial service after some City fans failed to heed the tribute.
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A City spokesman said: “Manchester City are extremely disappointed by the actions of some City supporters during the minute’s silence before tonight’s game. The club sincerely apologize to everyone associated with Liverpool Football Club.”
Klopp replied: “Of course we accept your apology. We never thought this was Man City, although there were some people who didn’t understand the situation and that’s not nice and felt really wrong at that moment. We can’t change that and that has nothing to do with City.”