Liverpool 'find no conclusive evidence in Guardiola coin-throwing allegations'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 01 December 2022

Liverpool reportedly find no conclusive evidence into allegations that coins were thrown at Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during October's clash at Anfield.

Liverpool have found no conclusive evidence in their investigation into allegations of coins being thrown at Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, according to a report.

The Catalan coach claimed to have been the subject of objects being thrown from the crowd during the champions' 1-0 Premier League defeat to the Reds at Anfield on October 16.

City succumbed to a goal from Mohamed Salah on the day, although they had a strike of their own through Phil Foden disallowed after Erling Braut Haaland was deemed to have fouled Fabinho in the build-up.

Guardiola gestured to the Liverpool fans behind him by waving his arms following the disallowed goal, at which point the ex-Barcelona boss was supposedly targeted by coin-throwing.

Guardiola made light of the incident after the game, telling reporters: "Next time they will do it better. They didn't get me. They try it again next year. All these coins, they tried, but didn't get it. They got the coach years ago."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on April 10, 2022 © Reuters

According to The Athletic, Liverpool conducted a full investigation into the incident, which has now been closed due to a lack of conclusive evidence, and no fans will be punished.

The report adds that the Reds' investigation was a "thorough" one, and they also analysed CCTV footage and took statements from supporters and stewards within the vicinity.

Liverpool's investigation had supposedly uncovered "some evidence" that coins were thrown in Guardiola's direction, but no specific perpetrators could be singled out.

However, Anfield chiefs are said to be open to fresh information from new witnesses should they decide to come forward, and anyone found guilty of the offence would be handed a lifetime ban.

That victory for Jurgen Klopp's side was also marred by a couple of other off-field incidents, with chants about the Hillsborough and Heysel stadium disasters being sung from fans in the Manchester City end.

General view inside Liverpool's Anfield Stadium before the match on January 9, 2022 © Reuters

Liverpool condemned the "vile" chants at the time, while Guardiola claimed that he was "so sorry" before Man City apologised to the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance, although they did not release a public statement.

Offensive graffiti was also said to have been sprayed onto the concourse in the away end, while Man City alleged to Merseyside Police that their team coach was attacked as they left the ground.

Liverpool manager Klopp was also sent off for giving linesman Gary Beswick an earful, with the official not flagging for a perceived foul on Salah by Bernardo Silva.

Klopp initially escaped a touchline ban for his actions and was fined £30,000 instead, but the German was subsequently slapped with a one-game suspension following an appeal by the FA.

Klopp served his ban in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Southampton prior to the World Cup break, which left the Reds sixth in the table on 22 points - 10 behind Man City and seven behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.