Manchester City broke the Premier League protocol when they awarded the newly crowned Premier League champion an honor guard before their Etihad clash.
After Liverpool won the 19th top crown last week after City’s defeat at Chelsea, it was a tradition for Pep Guardiola’s team to honor the Reds before their Thursday night clash.
The Honor Guard has always been charged with severity, as Liverpool’s tireless rampage to end its 30-year title drought also dropped City’s two-season tenure as champion.
And when city players left the tunnel to form two lines and applaud up-and-coming Liverpool players, many Reds fans were angry at what they saw as disrespect for the champions who were deposed.
Some city players stopped clapping before all Liverpoolers emerged from the tunnel and then left the lines before the entire team had gone through.
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
It was also interesting to note that the City players violated the Premier League protocol when the tribute was carried out, which requires the visiting team to come onto the field first.
After the Corona virus broke out, one of the changes made to Project Restart Premier League games was that away teams should enter the game area first, followed by the home team rather than both teams coming out together.
Before the game, Alan Shearer predicted a backlash from City, expecting the gesture to “hurt” Guardiola and his players.
The former English striker, who became an expert, said: “Manchester City will have great respect for Liverpool with an honor guard before the game, but it will harm Pep Guardiola and his players to do so, and they will want to prove a point. ” afterwards on the square. ”
Shearer was right when Pep Guardiola’s team changed styles and went 3-0 up at half time.
Raheem Sterling was pulled down by Reds defender Joe Gomez to win a penalty kick that Kevin de Bruyne hit home.
Sterling soon doubled City’s lead against his former club with a smart finish before Phil Foden scored a third goal at half-time.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain turned the ball into his own net after 66 minutes when he tried to stop Sterling from doubling his personal balance sheet.
City’s victory was a clear declaration of intent before the next season, aiming for a third Premier League title in four seasons.
And Guardiola’s team may be able to concentrate entirely on nipping Liverpool’s dominance as they face the prospect of a two-year ban on European football.
After last season’s Champions League triumph and UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup victories this season, Liverpool will not accept their 4-0 defeat as it comes within a little over a year to win four trophies.
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