Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was involved in an angry tunnel exchange with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini following last night’s 1-0 win by the Reds, BBC Sport reports.
Gerrard scored what proved to be the winner in the first half from the penalty spot after Daniel Agger was fouled by City defender Stefan Savic. Mancini was disappointed that Glen Johnson’s tackle on Joleon Lescott wasn’t punished for being two-footed and claimed it was worse than the red card Vincent Kompany was sent off for in the FA Cup third round on Sunday. Gerrard disagreed and made his feelings clear to Mancini in the tunnel.
The City boss was waiting to talk with a gathering of journalists and the Liverpool skipper reportedly approached him, pointing a finger at Mancini and waving an imaginary card. Gerrard then said: ‘You say to the press that Wayne Rooney tried to get Kompany sent off and you try to get Johnson sent off’. Mancini retorted with a claim of: ‘I say what I want’, which Gerrard shook his head at, turned around and walked away.
The England international said in his interview after the game that he believed Johnson’s tackle was a clear and clean challenge which won the ball. Gerrard then went on to claim Mancini was guilty of hypocrisy and believes that he should not do such a thing. The return leg is on 25th January and is set up nicely at Anfield.
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