bye bye, jurgen 'I love Munich' - Guardiola wants Liverpool knocked out of Champions League
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants Liverpool to be knocked out the Champions League when they take on Bayern Munich this evening.
Liverpool head into the match – which you can listen to LIVE on talkSPORT – knowing they only need to score once without conceding to progress into the competition’s quarter-finals.
Bayern were held to a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the reverse fixture, and Jurgen Klopp’s side have the advantage of a potential away goals victory, with any score draw also taking Liverpool into the next round.
Should Liverpool reach the last eight, they will be the fourth English team to qualify for that stage of the tournament, following Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City – who became the third Premier League side into the last eight with Tuesday’s thrashing of Schalke .
It will be quite some feat for every English side to make it into the last eight, but Guardiola, who masterminded City’s victory, wants Liverpool knocked out of Europe this evening.
“I’m sorry for the English people but I want Bayern to go through,” said Guardiola, who spent three years in charge of the Bundesliga club. “I am big fan, I am part of this club.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS OMINOUS Why Liverpool's goalless draw against Bayern Munich could be a very bad sign Classy Mesut Ozil’s heartwarming gesture to Kenyan child who wore handmade Arsenal shirt MANE ATTRACTION Zidane wants Liverpool ace and Man United star as part of Real revolution TOP TIER Arsenal, Leicester and Borussia Dortmund interested in £25m Celtic star - reports magnanimous Lampard makes surprising admission about Leeds despite 'spygate' paper talk Man United eye Sancho and Coutinho, Chelsea 'afraid' of losing Hazard, plus more 'how he is judged' Rio Ferdinand explains why Raheem Sterling won't win player of the year handbrake on Liverpool nerves understandable due to lack of success, Man United legend says nonsense Klopp rubbishes Neville's suggestion Reds should lose at Bayern to focus on league relentless Salah willing to make incredible sacrifice so Liverpool can win Premier League BARCA BLUES Ex-Liverpool star Coutinho sends message to Firmino amid Barcelona struggles West Ham star Rice set for England call-up after rejecting Ireland - reports
“I love Munich, Bayern and all the people. I would like Bayern to go through but it will not be easy.”
Leroay Sane was City’s star performer on Tuesday evening, scoring once and creating a further three goals to torment his former club.
That came after the Germany international also scored a superb free-kick equaliser as City came from behind in the first leg in Gelsenkirchen.
But, asked if Sane was at his best, Guardiola said: “No. After the first goal, yes. Before, no. He was not aggressive enough in the first 20 minutes.
LIVE on talkSPORT There are 10 live commentaries remaining across the talkSPORT network this week. Find out what they are and when you can hear them, below...