Guardiola defends Klopp over derby day celebration

Joe Williams

Pep Guardiola has defended rival Jurgen Klopp after the German ran onto the field to celebrate Liverpool’s late winner against Everton on Sunday.

Liverpool moved back within two points of Guardiola‘s Manchester City at the top of the Premier League as Divock Origi headed a dramatic injury-time decider in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Reds boss Klopp responded by charging onto the field to celebrate with goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Guardiola recognises such actions can be disrespectful but he empathises with Klopp, who has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

The Spaniard is is well aware emotions can run high and accepts he himself got carried away after Raheem Sterling scored a late winner against Southampton last season.

The City manager said: “I did it against Southampton. There are a lot of emotions in those moments.

“I know when I did it I was not happy to have done that, so I can understand (Everton manager) Marco Silva, (then Southampton boss Mauricio) Pellegrino when it happens.

“But sometimes it’s what it is, it’s an emotional game. Last minute, everything happens in your mind, heart and body and sometimes you do that. I talk for my side but of course you have to be respectful for the other ones.”

Guardiola expects such incidents to be viewed differently by fans of the winning and losing sides.

He said: “When you lose you are impolite, you are a bad guy, and when you win everything is acceptable. We live in a world where everyone judges the winners and we make a lot of big compliments just because we win.”