Pep Guardiola explains why he was sent off during Manchester City's Champions League defeat by Liverpool

Guardiola did not hesitate to criticise the officiating in City's quarter final defeat

Pep Guardiola was sent to the stands at half time (Getty)

Pep Guardiola has denied insulting the referee during Manchester City’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Liverpool, claiming he was only sent off for protesting against a disallowed goal.

Leroy Sané thought he had doubled City’s lead at the end of the first half, turning the ball in after its deflection back towards goal off James Milner’s knee, but the strike was ruled out for offside.

Guardiola, who needed his side to turn around a 3-0 first leg deficit in order to progress, was infuriated by the decision and at half time, he came onto the pitch to speak with referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz and his assistants.

The City manager was sent off by Lahoz following the confrontation and did not re-emerge for the second half, instead watching Liverpool's comeback to win 2-1 from the stands.

Guardiola was keen to congratulate Liverpool on their progression to the semi finals but did not hesitate to criticise the officiating either.

When asked what he had told Lahoz at half time, Guardiola said: “I said it was a goal. Milner passed it to Leroy. I said it was a goal and that’s why he sent me off.

“It’s different to go 1-0 at half time to 2-0. It’s different when the first goal at Anfield from Salah that’s offside is offside. These games, the impact is so big.

“The goal from Gabriel Jesus at Anfield is a goal, it’s penalty on Sterling from Robertson. That is an influence in a lot of competitions.”

Guardiola added: “I didn’t insult him, I just said it was a goal. I said the pass came from Milner, he said: ‘It came from Milner?’ Yes, from Milner! When it comes from Milner, it’s not offside.”

City appeared capable of completing an unlikely turnaround in the first half, especially when Jesus opened the scoring after just two minutes.

“We had an outstanding first 45 minutes,” Guardiola said. “But in this competition, like last season we had Monaco, Aguero one-against-one on the goalkeeper, clear penalty. The same referee.

“It can happen, in these competitions when the teams are so equal, the impact is so big. But I know [Lahoz] from Spain, so I could imagine that,” he said. “We spoke about it, we know him.”