Manchester City’s shot-stopper Stefan Ortega has sparked controversy by claiming Liverpool is “not the best part in the UK” following his team’s humbling at Anfield.
The goalie was unexpectedly picked over Ederson contributing to a 2-0 Premier League defeat on Sunday. Ortega picked the ball out of the net twice – which put Liverpool a whopping 11 points clear of City in the league standings.
The loss marked City’s fourth consecutive Premier League defeat and their sixth in seven outings across all competitions. As the match neared its end, Pep Guardiola was met with taunts of “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” by the exultant home crowd.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola learns truth in Liverpool humiliation as Man City empire ‘burning to ground’
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah addresses his Liverpool future as he scores in his ‘final’ Man City game
In response, Guardiola flashed six fingers, representing his Premier League title haul with City, though some were quick to note it’s also the tally of Liverpool’s European crowns.
Guardiola said: “I didn’t expect it from the people from Liverpool but it’s fine, it’s part of the game, and I understand completely. We’ve had incredible battles together. I have a respect for them.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Don’t miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that’s it, job done. You’ll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
Post-match, when quizzed on talkSPORT about the cheeky chant aimed at Guardiola, Ortega remarked: “Someone told me before that this area (Liverpool) is probably not the best part in the UK,” reports the Liverpool Echo. “I think he reacted really well, yeah.”
Hitting back on talkSPORT, former Premier League boss Alan Pardew said: “He shouldn’t have said that, absolutely not! It’s the frustration, the anger, the pressure and then saying something like that.
“And he’ll regret that, and he’ll regret it quite soon because he’ll be getting a few texts and a few messages, I’m sure, from the hierarchy at his football club. We can’t hold him to court over that, it’s a stupid error to say, and it just goes to show the depth of pressure that’s on you as Premier League player.”