Football news - Pep Guardiola: Riyad Mahrez had the balls to take the penalty
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Published 07/10/2018 at 19:25 GMT
Pep Guardiola has praised Riyad Mahrez’s courage after the Manchester City forward skied a penalty in his side’s scoreless draw at Anfield.
Manchester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (L) passes Manchester City's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus as he reacts after failing to convert a penalty during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfie
Image credit: Getty Images
Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot after Virgil van Dijk felled Leroy Sane inside the box with a little over five minutes to go.
With designated penalty takes Sergio Aguero not on the field, Mahrez moved Gabriel Jesus aside to take the responsibility.
However, the former Leicester man skied the penalty, but Guardiola backed Mahrez.
[Riyad] had the courage and the balls to take the penalty
"In training he shoots perfect penalties but sometimes it happens,” Guardiola said post-match.
“The usual taker is Sergio Aguero but he wasn’t there. We played so well so if you want to analyse the result it was okay.
“Last season we lost here, and this season we drew, maybe next season we will win.”
The game would finish scoreless, which moved sent City top on goal difference from Liverpool and Chelsea. All three sides have 20 points from their opening eight games.
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