Premier League: Pep Guardiola explains viral ‘six fingers’ reaction to Liverpool fans at Anfield

Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, addressed the viral moment at Anfield where he gestured six fingers to Liverpool fans after his team went 2-0 down to the Reds. Guardiola clarified that the gesture was a nod to the six Premier League titles he has won with City, underscoring his achievements amid chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from the Anfield crowd after City’s weekend loss.

The defeat to Liverpool extended City’s winless streak to seven matches across all competitions, with six of those being losses. This slump marks one of the most challenging periods in Guardiola’s tenure at City, with questions being raised about the team’s form and his future at the club. Despite the speculation, Guardiola maintained his composure, emphasizing the legacy he has built during his reign, including six Premier League titles and a coveted Champions League trophy.

“I didn’t expect Anfield to start to chant at 0-2 that I would be sacked…Maybe I deserve to be sacked, honestly, with our results, or maybe I’m still in the job because I won six Premier Leagues and a lot of titles. But I didn’t expect them to sing at 0-2. Maybe they should sing at 0-1 when the game was tighter or maybe last season or the previous season,” Guardiola said.

“Maybe in Brighton they did it, so I understand, but at Anfield I didn’t expect it. But it’s fine. It’s part of the game. When you win, you laugh, when you lose, they laugh. I have to accept it,” Guardiola added.

While Guardiola recently signed a contract extension until 2026, City’s ongoing struggles have caused unrest amongst fans. The absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri due to injury has exposed defensive vulnerabilities, leading to a string of disappointing results. This dip in form has left City trailing in the Premier League title race, with Liverpool and Arsenal gaining the upper hand.

Guardiola’s ability to protect his legacy at City now hinges on a swift turnaround in performances. With their next match against Nottingham Forest on December 6, the pressure is mounting. Fans and critics alike are eager to see whether Guardiola can steer his team back on track and reassert their dominance or if this season might mark a tumultuous end to his otherwise illustrious tenure at Manchester City.