Sunday’s game between Liverpool and Manchester City was a fairly clean affair.
Referee Chris Kavanagh only blew for 17 fouls – fewer than in any of the other nine Premier League matches over the weekend.
However, the was still a bit of needle between the two teams.
Liverpool fans wound up Pep Guardiola by chanting that the City manager would be ‘getting sacked in the morning’.
Guardiola responded by holding up six fingers. Not to point out that City have now lost six of their last seven games, but to signify that he has won six Premier League titles during his time in Manchester.
There was also a little issue between captains Kyle Walker and Virgil van Dijk before kick-off.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk pictured after leading his side to a 2-0 win over Man City
Man City were captained by England defender Kyle Walker at Anfield on Sunday afternoon
After winning the coin toss, City skipper Walker chose to turn Liverpool around so that the home side would attack the Kop end in the first half, rather than their preference of doing so in the second 45 minute.
Reds captain Van Dijk appeared to be annoyed with Walker. But the Dutchman explained after the match that this was not because Walker forced his team to switch ends.
‘I was annoyed by the fact that he started the toss without me,’ Van Dijk explained.
‘I was busy with my mascot and took a bit of time but he started the coin toss quite quickly. I was a little annoyed by that but look, good game, we won and we move on.’
Liverpool went on to beat City 2-0 thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah.
That result saw Liverpool move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, while it left City 11 points below the summit.
On the match itself, Van Dijk said: ‘It’s easy to say that [Man City were there for the taking’ after the game.
‘City are a fantastic team. Four times champions in a row. They have quality to punish any team.
Dutchman Van Dijk pictured with a Liverpool mascot shortly before kick-off in Sunday’s game
Walker pictured preparing to take a throw-in while standing near Reds manager Arne Slot (left)
‘We were very solid defensively. Offensively we did our part as well, created chances and could have scored more.
‘Overall it’s been a great day but now we recover and be ready for another game Wednesday.’
Liverpool travel to Newcastle on Wednesday, before making the short trip to local rivals Everton on Saturday.
Meanwhile, City’s next game is at home against Nottingham Forest, who currently sit just one point below the reigning champions.
