On Sunday, Pep Guardiola responded to chants from Liverpool fans suggesting he’d be “sacked in the morning” by holding up six fingers, referencing his Premier League titles.
While his reaction had a playful, theatrical element, one of his players made a far more serious and disparaging comment following Manchester City’s fourth consecutive league defeat, which left them fifth in the table and 11 points behind Liverpool.
Ortega’s Controversial Remarks
In a post-match radio interview, Stefan Ortega—selected over Ederson for the game—made a petty and derogatory remark about Liverpool in an attempt to defend Guardiola. Speaking to the media, Ortega said (via *Liverpool Echo*):
*”Someone told me before that this area [Liverpool] is probably not the best part in the UK. I think he reacted really well, yeah.”*
Guardiola Should Address This
Unlike Guardiola, who showed grace in his post-match comments, Ortega’s remarks crossed a line. Criticizing fans’ taunts or discussing the match would have been fair, but targeting the city and its people with a dismissive slur is unacceptable.
Whoever misled Ortega with such a baseless and snide opinion about Liverpool has contributed to perpetuating a harmful stereotype. Unfortunately, the city and its residents are all too familiar with derogatory remarks, as seen with recent poverty-related chants by certain fan groups.
Guardiola, known for his respectful rivalry with Liverpool, should address Ortega’s comments and make it clear that such statements are inappropriate.
Respectful competition doesn’t include smearing a city and its people, and Ortega’s remarks only serve to tarnish the spirit of the game.
