Pep Guardiola has played down the significance of a tweet from Kyle Walker which mocked Manchester City’s title rivals Liverpool this week.
Following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Leicester on Wednesday, the City defender tweeted a picture of Leicester defender Harry Maguire with the caption: “So basically they thought they were gonna go seven points ahead…”
The social media post was quickly deleted and City boss Guardiola was not fussed about it.
He said: “I’m not concerned about the social media of the players, what they tweet or Instagram, or other social media. I cannot control it.”
Guardiola dismissed a suggestion the tweet could provide extra motivation for Liverpool who, after City lost at relegation-threatened Newcastle on Tuesday, extended their lead at the top of the table to five points.
The Spaniard added: “I don’t think so.
“The motivation to win games from ourselves and the opponents always increases not for one tweet or another.
“The opponents always do many things against us and nothing happens. Motivation is our game, that’s what we have to do.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp refused to criticise Walker, but could not understand why a footballer would taunt a rival.
“I cannot help that. I’m not sure what that says about us, it says a bit more about the other person. I never celebrated another team dropping points or losing a game. For me, that’s not allowed.
“It’s sport, you have to do your own thing and try to show your best performance.
“For supporters, it’s a bit different. For people involved, I don’t understand it. But how can I criticise if I don’t understand it?”
City could close the gap on Liverpool to two points if they beat Arsenal on Sunday, a day before the Reds travel to West Ham.