Darwin Nunez pulled back from ‘spiky’ spat with Pep Guardiola after Man City draw with Liverpool
DARWIN NUNEZ and Pep Guardiola were involved in a touchline spat immediately after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
Seconds after the final whistle was blown at the Etihad, the cameras panned to a furious Nunez, 24, who was being pulled back by Reds manager Jurgen Klopp following an altercation with Man City boss Guardiola, 52.
Nunez and Guardiola initially shook hands, before the Liverpool man appeared to have a few words for the Spaniard.
Klopp was quick to pull his man away from the heated exchange.
But a perplexed Guardiola responded in an animated manner as the pair continued to trade words in a fiery scene.
Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury reacted to the incident, saying: “There are apparently some unpleasant words being exchanged.
“Darwin Nunez involved in a spiky exchange with Pep Guardiola. They needed separating.”
As Guardiola argued with some of the Liverpool backroom staff, Drury then added: “Guardiola seeking to rationalise the situation.”
But the Man City boss played the incident down during his post-match interview, simply replying: “Nothing happened there.”
Nunez cut a frustrated figure at the end of the game after he missed a couple of good chances – although he did end up assisting Liverpool’s equaliser.
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Erling Haaland gave Man City the lead in the first half with his 50th Premier League goal.
In doing so, he became the fastest player to reach the milestone in the competition’s history, with the Norwegian achieving the feat in just 48 matches – 17 quicker than anyone else.
But Liverpool hung on in the game and got their reward with 10 minutes remaining.
Trent Alexander-Arnold fired a low shot into the bottom corner to salvage a point for the visitors.
It came after Man City saw Ruben Dias’ goal disallowed for a foul on Alisson.
Referee Chris Kavanagh blew for the infringement after Dias had bundled the ball home.
VAR then looked at the incident and stuck with the on-field decision.
The result means Man City retain their one-point advantage over Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
But Arsenal could capitalise and go top with a win over Brentford in the late kick-off on Saturday evening.
After Liverpool’s draw with Man City, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said: “Liverpool are getting better and better. This was a step forward and this will give them real confidence.
“Jurgen Klopp will be really proud how his team stuck at it. City weren’t at their best. It feels like a defeat.”
And Reds legend Jamie Carragher added: “There is no doubt that something is building at Liverpool.
“I didn’t think either team did enough to win the game.”