Manchester City suffered a shock 3-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie on Wednesday.
The incidents before the game were a huge talking point afterwards.
City received a hostile reception when the team bus arrived at Anfield. The coach was hit by cans and bottles and had to drive through flare smoke let off by Reds fans who gave the Manchester based side a frosty welcome.
Citizens star Ilkay Gundogan did however, deny claims that the Liverpool fans reaction rattled them.
Gundogan made it clear that all the Reds fans did was motivate them.
“Normally these kind of things are more for the fans and the supporters who are doing this kind of stuff to get out the adrenaline they have inside them or just the emotions,” Gundogan told RTÉ Sport after the game.
“For me it was more something like extra motivation, to sit on the bus and to feel already something like hate, you know? Which is, of course, not a good thing but also quite normal in football.
“For me it was more something like an extra push as if it was needed but obviously we couldn’t show that on the pitch.”
Liverpool fans hurled objects including beer cans, bottles and flares at the Manchester City bus.
The bus was so badly damaged that it will not be able to make the return trip to Manchester. (via @GlennPrice94) pic.twitter.com/GXg5UarJ1a
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 4, 2018
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The midfielder of Turkish origin accepted that City are now underdogs to make it through to the next stage of the Champions League.
“In the way the result was created we felt like we were a bit unlucky. We expected a tough game but of course we didn’t expect to concede three goals in the first half,” he added.
“That killed the game a little bit and in the second half we tried our best to score at least once, which would improve our situation for the second leg massively.
“So now it seems like it is very difficult in the second leg. We are nearly not allowed to concede a goal and we have to score at least three.
“But we’ve done that in the past a lot of times and also against Liverpool in the first half of the season, so it’s not impossible but it’s very tough.”
Welcome to Anfield, @ManCity
? Follow our story from Liverpool vs Man City over at https://t.co/CEea6LE0qR ? pic.twitter.com/S168cSbNBM
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 4, 2018
Gundogan’s display drew heavy criticism for his dislay but he was played out of position on the right flank in a bizarre tactical change by Pep Guardiola.
City will have the chance to make amends for the defeat next Tuesday when they welcome Liverpool to Manchester on Tuesday for the return-leg.
Gundogan has four goals and seven assists in all competitions for City this season.
The Citizens will take on Manchester United next in the Premier League and will lift the title if they beat their rivals.
