I did it for a reason, okay — Guardiola defends his actions vs Liverpool

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola is quite the enigma when it comes to making on-field decisions and tactical play but his decision vs. Liverpool was even more enigmatic that the Spaniard needed to explain himself in front of the press.

Pep Guardiola shedding more light on his tactical decision in Manchester City’s 1-1 draw versus Liverpool to substitute Kevin De Bruyne during their Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday, revealed the reason he did what he did.

De Bruyne, a pivotal figure in City’s midfield, was withdrawn from the match with just over 20 minutes remaining, a move that visibly frustrated the Belgian playmaker. He was seen in discussion with the Manchester City boss on the sidelines following his substitution.

In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Guardiola clarified the reasoning behind the substitution, stating that he opted to bring on Mateo Kovacic in De Bruyne’s place to bolster his team’s ability to maintain possession.

Explaining further, Guardiola emphasized the importance of having a player who excels in ball retention, highlighting Kovacic’s proficiency in this aspect of the game.

He stressed that the decision was not a reflection of dissatisfaction with De Bruyne’s performance but rather a strategic move aimed at maximizing City’s chances of controlling the midfield battle.

“That is good. Have a chance next game to prove it. We need a player who keeps the ball. It’s not about pressing. Kovacic is really good at that.

“We were happy with Kevin. It’s not a problem. We’re fine.”

Regarding De Bruyne’s evident frustration, Guardiola welcomed the competitive spirit and challenged the midfielder to seize the opportunity in the next game to demonstrate his capabilities.

He reassured that there was no underlying issue between him and De Bruyne, emphasizing that the team remained united and focused on their objectives.