Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega Takes a Jab at Liverpool After Anfield Defeat
It’s no secret that tensions run high when Manchester City and Liverpool face off, but this past Sunday’s clash at Anfield brought more than just goals and drama—it brought some spicy post-match comments too. After City’s 2-0 defeat, goalkeeper Stefan Ortega didn’t hold back, taking a swipe at Liverpool and its surroundings, calling it “probably not the best part of the UK.” Ouch.
The match itself was a tough pill to swallow for Pep Guardiola’s side. Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah sealed a deserved victory for Liverpool, leaving Manchester City in fifth place and a staggering 11 points behind the league leaders. For a team that has dominated the Premier League in recent years, this slump is raising eyebrows—and plenty of questions.
Guardiola Faces the Heat
As if the loss wasn’t enough, Liverpool fans added salt to the wound by chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at Guardiola. The City boss, never one to shy away from a bit of banter, responded by holding up six fingers—a not-so-subtle reminder of the six Premier League titles he’s won during his time at the Etihad Stadium. Talk about a mic drop moment.
But Guardiola didn’t stop there. When asked about the chants, he delivered a mix of sarcasm and self-reflection. “I’m so proud of my six Premier Leagues against that [Liverpool] team and the previous team [under Jürgen Klopp],” he said. “I didn’t expect Anfield to start chanting at 0-2 that I would be sacked. Maybe I deserved to be sacked with our results. Maybe I’m still in the job because I won six Premier Leagues and a lot of titles.”
He continued, “They want to sack me. I wish they were more kind. Why didn’t they do it at 0-1? Why didn’t they do it last season when we won the Premier League? Why do they want to sack me now? I didn’t expect that from Anfield, for other clubs like Brighton I can understand it. But for Anfield I didn’t expect this, maybe it is the respect we have. They know we have won six Premier Leagues. But it’s fine, it’s part of the game.”
Ortega Steps Into the Spotlight
Ortega, who was promoted to the starting lineup for this match, also had his say. With Ederson benched in an attempt by Guardiola to shake things up, Ortega found himself in the thick of the action. When asked if the taunts from Liverpool fans could serve as motivation for City to “prove people wrong,” Ortega didn’t mince words. “Probably. Someone told me before that this area is probably not the best part of the UK. Yeah, I think the manager reacted really well,” he told Talksport.
While Ortega’s comments might not win him any fans on Merseyside, they certainly add fuel to the fire of this already heated rivalry. And let’s not forget, this loss extends City’s winless streak to seven games—a stat that’s almost unthinkable for a team of their caliber. Even more shocking? They’ve now lost four consecutive matches in the Premier League. For a club that’s used to setting records, this is one they’d rather not have.
What’s Next for City?
So, where does Manchester City go from here? With their title hopes slipping further out of reach, Guardiola and his squad have some serious soul-searching to do. Is this just a rough patch, or is it the beginning of a larger decline? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the pressure is mounting.
For Liverpool, this victory is yet another statement of intent. They’ve shown they’re not just title contenders—they’re title favorites. And with performances like this, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Key Takeaways
- Manchester City’s struggles continue: The loss to Liverpool marks their seventh game without a win and their fourth straight Premier League defeat.
- Guardiola under fire: Liverpool fans taunted the City boss, but he fired back with a reminder of his six Premier League titles.
- Ortega’s controversial comments: The goalkeeper’s dig at Liverpool has added another layer of drama to this intense rivalry.
As the Premier League season rolls on, all eyes will be on Manchester City to see if they can turn things around—or if this slump will define their campaign. One thing’s for sure: the drama is far from over.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
