Pep Guardiola sent to the Etihad stands for shouting at referee in Man City's quarter-final clash with Liverpool

 

Pep Guardiola during the match against Liverpool. [Photo: Courtesy]

Pep Guardiola has been sent to the Etihad stands for shouting at the referee in Manchester City's Champions League clash with Liverpool.

The Citizens boss was seen running onto the pitch to remonstrate with the match official moments after he called time on the first half in the quarter-final.

Guardiola was angry at a number of decisions that went against his side, including a penalty that never was, Sadio Mane avoiding a red card, and a Leroy Sane goal being ruled out.

The Citizens boss has previous with the same official, Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who has twice refereed at the Etihad and on both occasions has awarded penalties to City's opponents.

He gave Napoli two penalties in City's 2-1 win in the group stage back in October, while he also awarded Monaco a spot-kick last season in a 5-3 win for Guardiola's side.

Guardiola voiced his criticism of Lahoz just last week, only to discover his compatriot will be in charge for City's decisive quarter-final second-leg tie against Liverpool tonight.

After City went down 3-0 to Liverpool in last week’s first leg, Guardiola recalled how Lahoz had nearly cost his team against Monaco in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

Sergio Aguero was brought down by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic with the score at 1-1, but was booked for diving, rather than being awarded a penalty, which Guardiola claimed City deserved.

"I remember what happened last year," said Guardiola. "It was 1-1 at home to Monaco when there was a clear penalty on Sergio and what should have been a red card, but the referee didn't give it.

"We went from a possible 2-1 lead to a 2-1 deficit. These types of situations are very important."