Pep Guardiola believes officials must be treated with the upmost respect but claimed he cannot be expected to withhold his emotions on the touchline against Liverpool.
Guardiola's Manchester City host Liverpool in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening, marking a return to domestic action for the pair just days after the conclusion of the World Cup. Despite the likelihood that senior players will be rested on both sides, the resumption of a newly-fierce rivalry is expected to get mouths watering ahead of Monday's Premier League comeback.
Such has been the fervour of previous meetings, Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan and City counterpart Ferran Soriano felt inclined to release a joint statement asking for calm in the midst of disgusting behaviour that has seen sickening taunts regarding the Hillsborough disaster and coins being thrown at Guardiola.
