Pep Guardiola said his celebrations with Liverpool substitutes Kostas Tsimkas and Arthur Melo after Manchester City's equaliser at the Etihad were just a joke and not a lack of respect.
Guardiola initially turned to celebrate with the fans behind him after Julian Alvarez had scored, but he then engaged Tsimkas in conversation as he was returning to the dugout before an intense handshake with Arthur.
The interactions was picked up by the TV cameras at the game and attracted some scrutiny, but Guardiola attempted to diffuse the situation by explaining what had happened.
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"I was happy and I said how nice our goal was. That's all," he said. Asked if it was an attempt at humour, he added: "Of course."
Tsimkas smiled as he walked past Guardiola, who walked backwards to speak to the full-back, before he then shook Arthur's hand and pulled a face in front of him.
Pressed on whether his celebrations, particularly with Tsimkas, might have been provocative, Guardiola said: “Nah, come on. I’m so sorry. Speak with Tsimikas, speak with the others. Ask him if I lack respect, I celebrate the goal with my son on that floor (the tier above). And I said 'The goal was nice, wasn't it?' That's all. I’m so sorry. Do you think it’s a lack of respect? Ah ok, sorry. I’m so sorry."
BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand questioned the celebration during the game, saying: "I don't know how Tsimikas hasn't pushed Pep Guardiola out of the way there."
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