Pep Guardiola has apologised after Manchester City fans sang chants referencing football stadium tragedies against Liverpool, but he does not feel the rivalry between the clubs has become toxic .
City suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season at Anfield on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah s second-half goal enough to secure a 1-0 win for the Reds.
However, the game was overshadowed by several off-pitch incidents.
Guardiola alleged home fans threw coins at him; police said they were investigating an apparent attack on City s team bus; and Liverpool criticised the conduct of some away supporters.
The Reds accused City fans of singing vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies and vandalising the concourse with graffiti of a similar nature.
Liverpool FC has released a statement following today s match against Manchester City at Anfield.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
Speaking ahead of Saturday s meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion, Guardiola said those responsible did not represent City and insisted the club s recently established rivalry with Liverpool is not out of control.
Asked whether contests between Liverpool and City had become toxic on Friday, Guardiola said: I don t think so, [not] from our side, I m pretty sure of that.
I didn t hear the chants. If it happened, I m so sorry. It does not represent what we are as a team or as a club if this happened.
We can behave perfectly and [correct] our mistakes, without a problem.
