Pep Guardiola said coins were thrown at him during Manchester City’s match at Anfield – with Liverpool pledging to ban for life anyone guilty of hurling the missiles.
The Manchester City manager revealed he was targeted after his team had a goal disallowed during the second half, with Liverpool going on to win the game 1-0.
Guardiola was not hit by any of the objects but the Merseyside club promptly opened an investigation into the matter.
It came as Liverpool condemned “vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies” from the away supporters’ end during Sunday’s Premier League match.
Graffiti was also left in parts of the Anfield Road End, which houses visiting fans, referring to “murderers” and the number of people killed at the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters, which resulted in 39 and 97 deaths respectively.
Asked about the coin-throwing, Guardiola said sarcastically: “Next time they will do it better. It didn’t get me. They try it again next year.
“All these coins, they tried, but didn’t get it. They got the coach years ago.”
Guardiola was referring to an incident when City’s team bus was pelted with bottles and other objects as it arrived at Anfield for a Champions League match in 2018.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he had not been aware of the coin-throwing but apologised on behalf of the club.
“Oh, horrible. I am sorry,” he said.
“I apologise for that. I had no idea about it. It never should happen, never.”
Liverpool said they would use CCTV to investigate and those found guilty would face a lifetime ban from Anfield and a possible football banning order.
“We are aware of an incident involving objects being thrown into the technical area at today’s game,” the club said.
“This is totally unacceptable behaviour and not the standards of behaviour we expect at Anfield.”
In its statement condemning the offensive chanting, Liverpool said: “We are deeply disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies from the away section during today’s game at Anfield.
“The concourse in the away section was also vandalised with graffiti of a similar nature.
“We know the impact such behaviour has on the families, survivors and all those associated with such disasters.
“We are working with the relevant authorities in order to do our utmost to ensure these chants are eradicated from football altogether.”
Liverpool forward Mo Salah scored the only goal of the game as Man City suffered their first league loss of the season.
