Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said coins were thrown at him during his team's Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
In a heated encounter which saw Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp receive a red card, the hosts claimed an important 1-0 win over the champions courtesy of Mohamed Salah's breakaway goal in the second half.
Earlier, the City bench had celebrated vigorously as Phil Foden thought he had fired the champions into the lead in the 53rd minute, only for his strike to be ruled out after a VAR review.
Guardiola was furious with the decision, even before referee Anthony Taylor had finished viewing the pitch-side monitor, turning around to remonstrate with Liverpool fans in the stands.
In the aftermath, the City manager said the Liverpool supporters retaliated.
"Next time they will do it better, they didn't get me," Guardiola said. "They tried but didn't get me. They got them (coins) on the coach years ago but not this time."
Erling Haaland was penalised for a foul on Fabinho in the build-up to Foden's finish from a tight angle, a decision Guardiola was still not happy with after the match.
"This is Anfield," Guardiola said. "The referee spoke with my assistant and Jurgen before the game and said 'Today I won't make fouls' and all the game was play on, play on, play on, except the goal we scored.
"The crowd and everything, many years we come here. We lost because we made a mistake and play one of the best teams in the world. It is so tight and the margins are so fine."
In response, Liverpool have pledged to ban for life fans found guilty of throwing coins towards Guardiola.
"We are aware of an incident involving objects being thrown into the technical area at today's game," said a club spokesman. "This is totally unacceptable behaviour and not the standards of behaviour we expect at Anfield.
"This incident will be fully investigated using CCTV and those found guilty will be punished, including a lifetime ban from Anfield Stadium and a possible football banning order."
Klopp was sent to the stands after he was unhappy with the officials later in the second half, feeling Salah was fouled by Bernardo Silva right in front of him.
He was nonetheless delighted to get a result that can kickstart his side's stuttering season, having ended City's unbeaten run. "The red card is my fault, I went over the top in that moment," Klopp said. "That's not ok, but as little excuse I would like to mention how can you not whistle that as a foul?
Liverpool v Man City player ratings
-
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 7. The Brazilian made a number of important saves but his best contribution was the long kick that allowed Salah the chance to score. His quick thinking opened up the game. EPA -
James Milner – 7. The 36-year-old took the battle to Foden. He was strong in the tackle and even got forward and looked to cross. It was foolish to see him as the weak link. Getty Images -
Joe Gomez – 8. The 25-year-old was unruffled by the presence of Haaland and made a great block from the striker. He made a series of interceptions and tackles. Getty Images -
Virgil van Dijk – 7. The Dutchman was composed throughout and not intimidated by Haaland’s physicality. A calming influence at the back. EPA -
Andrew Robertson – 7. The Scot refused to be pinned back by City’s attack and got forward in relentless fashion. He fired one opportunity over the bar and worried the defence constantly. AFP -
Fabinho – 7. The Brazilian was kept busy protecting the defence, a job he carried out effectively. When he got the chance, he looked to probe forward. Henderson replaced him in the 73rd minute. AP Photo -
Thiago Alcantara – 6. The 31-year-old battled in the midfield but struggled to impose his trademark passing on the game in hectic conditions. AFP -
Harvey Elliott – 6. The 19-year-old made sure that he did not leave the defence exposed. That limited his forward motion and when given an opportunity by Salah, he got caught in two minds. He was withdrawn for Carvalho in the 73rd minute. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah – 9. The Egyptian was a constant menace for the defence. He was foiled by a fingertip save by Ederson but when he turned Cancelo and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, the striker made no mistake and scored a brilliant goal. He came off in the last minute for Alexander-Arnold. PA -
Diogo Jota – 7. The Portuguese threatened with direct running but his backtracking might have been better. He got into good positions in the second half but was not picked out by teammates. A stoppage-time injury ended his participation and he was replaced by Tsimikas. PA -
Roberto Firmino – 6. The Brazilian was sucked deep to help out the midfield and that limited his attacking contribution. He made way for Nunez in the 72nd minute. AFP -
SUBS: Darwin Nunez – 6. The Uruguayan replaced Firmino in the 72nd minute. He had a chance to set up Salah or Jota but decided to shoot instead. It was an awful decision. A cross to Alexander-Arnold was better but just too heavy. Getty -
Jordan Henderson – 6. The 32-year-old joined the action with 17 minutes to go at Fabinho’s expense. He pressed City hard and screened the defence. Getty Images -
Fabio Carvalho – 6. The Portuguese came on for Elliott in the 73rd minute. He ran at the defence and was brought down a number of times. Reuters -
Trent Alexander-Arnold – N/A. The 23-year-old had a brief taste of the action after replacing Salah in the last minute. He got into a great position in front of goal but Nunez’s cross was just too heavy. AFP -
Kostas Tsimikas – N/A. The Greek was sent on deep in stoppage time when Jota was injured. He was on the pitch for a matter of seconds. PA -
MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson – 6. The Brazilian made a series of saves and his fingertip effort to turn a Salah shot around the post was top class. He could do nothing when the Egyptian bore down unchallenged on goal to score the decisive goal. Getty -
Joao Cancelo – 4. The Portuguese misjudged the ball and was turned by Salah for Liverpool’s goal. It was the defining moment in the game. He will be disappointed with that and his distribution was poor, too. Getty Images -
Manuel Akanji – 5. The Swiss did well in the first half but began to struggle later in the game. He was unable to do much going forward. AFP -
Ruben Dias – 6. The Portuguese’s lack of pace was exposed by Salah but he was strong in the tackle and in the air. AP Photo -
Nathan Ake – 6. The Dutchman was composed and firm in the challenge. He was able to get forward and help with attacks. Reuters -
Kevin De Bruyne – 6. Much of City’s threat came through the Belgian but he was not as influential as he would have liked. He had a low-key first half but was better after the break. EPA -
Rodri – 5. The Spaniard was unable to take control in the midfield. He started poorly but improved as the game went on. AFP -
Ilkay Gundogan – 6. The German looked to connect with Haaland and produced moments of danger. His final ball was not as precise as usual. He was replaced by Alvarez with a minute to go. AP Photo -
Bernardo Silva – 4. The Portuguese did lots of running but it had little impact. His passing was scattergun and he made bad choices. EPA -
Erland Haaland – 6. The Norwegian got into great positions and had some chances but could not convert. His pull on Fabinho’s shirt led to City’s goal being disallowed. Reuters -
Phil Foden – 3. The 22-year-old was up against Milner but never tested the veteran’s legs. His shot and pass selection were poor. EPA -
SUB: Julian Alvarez – N/A. The Argentine replaced Gundogan in the final minute. He was not on the pitch long enough to have any impact. EPA
"That (the result) felt good, very good. On a normal day you should not even try against City, you have to play to your limits. That's what we did. It was a top performance from the boys."
Liverpool later released a statement condemning some chants from City supporters during the match.
"We are deeply disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies from the away section during today's game at Anfield. The concourse in the away section was also vandalised with graffiti of a similar nature," the club said.
"We know the impact such behaviour has on the families, survivors and all those associated with such disasters.
"We are working with the relevant authorities and we will also work with Manchester City in order to do our utmost to ensure these chants are eradicated from football altogether."
