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“Sacked in the morning..” chants aimed at Pep Guardiola and his six-finger response as reminder

Man City coach was dismayed by the chants at Anfield, but said ge owed his City players solutions for giving him the chance to live the best years of his life

Considered one of the greatest managers of all time, Guardiola's reign at City hit a sudden trough last year when the side went trophyless and just about managed to finish in the top-four (AP Photo file)

Having lost four consecutive top-flight games for the first time since August 2008, Manchester City manager heard an avalanche of chants collapse against his ear-drums as Anfield let out chants of.

“Sacked in the morning, you’re getting sacked in the morning.” The 2-0 loss to league toppers Liverpool piled on more misery on the manager facing the worst string of losses for a long time.

The volume picked up in the 89th minute though the chants had started soon after Liverpool scored their second – a point wryly noted by Guardiola post the defeat that put them 11 points adrift.

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The City boss, rooted to his technical area smiled slightly and then took his hands out of his pockets to hold up one open palm and one other finger to indicate 6, the number of titles City have won under him.

“I didn’t expect that at Anfield,” Guardiola told Sky Sports responding to the chants. “I didn’t expect it from the people from Liverpool but it’s fine, it’s part of the game, and I understand completely. We’ve had incredible battles together. I have a respect for them,” he said.

City have won six of the last 7 Premiership titles with Liverpool taking the remainder 1. The Reds however are 11 points clear of title rivals Manchester City whose season is up in smoke currently, placed at fifth in the table below Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Brighton.

Guardiola sounded hurt when saying, “All the stadiums want to sack me, it started at Brighton in early November.” He however has signed a new two-year contract extension last month. “Maybe they are right with the results we’ve been having,” he ceded.

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However his six finger response was a reminder to people of what’s been a dominant past. Despite being lashed at all venues, Guardiola kept his chin up as 25 games remain and 75 points still to play for. “Teams are good and we can’t handle it right now,” he said. “I have to find a solution to be solid. What can I say? These players have given me the chance to live maybe the best years of my life. All I can do is be here to try to find a solution.”