Liverpool responsible for any repeat of Manchester City bus attack, says Pep Guardiola

Guardiola was left furious in April when City's team bus was hit by projectiles on its way into Anfield

Pep Guardiola has said that Liverpool and their supporters will be responsible for any repeat of April’s attack on Manchester City’s team bus at Anfield on Sunday.

Guardiola was left furious when City’s bus was hit by projectiles on its way to the ground for a Champions League quarter-final tie.

The bus was left unfit for purpose after a window was smashed, with City forced to source alternative transport for their journey home.

City will travel to Anfield by a different route on Sunday and Merseyside Police are expected to increase security measures around the stadium.

Guardiola does not believe such measures should be necessary in the first place, and claimed the responsibility for his team’s safety rests on Liverpool and their supporters.

“I think the best way to protect the bus is for the Liverpool fans to be as Liverpool fans supposedly are,” the City manager said.

“The best way is that when the people arrive at the stadium, [they are] going to see football game and enjoy watching both sides.

“The best way is that we should not need the police. Why should the police need to be there? For what? We arrive there, both sides, to play a Premier League game. Why should our fans have to protect our bus? Are you kidding me?

“I would like the police to go home at 4.30pm with their families, drinking a beer and loving the show. That is what they should do. But that depends on the Liverpool people, not on Manchester City.”

Television footage captured Guardiola leaving the team bus on the night in question sarcastically thanking security staff at Anfield for “protecting us”.

Liverpool apologised for the scenes outside Anfield last April on the night in question, but Guardiola still appeared frustrated some six months on.

“Liverpool should be upset, not myself,” he said, recounting the incident. “Liverpool, not me. The police knew it before it happened. Now they know it. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”