Article body analysed
By SAM LAWLEY Published: 08: 01 AEDT, 2 December 2024 | Updated: 11: 26 AEDT, 2 December 2024 79 View comments Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega has described Liverpool as 'probably not the best part in the UK' after his team succumbed to a painful 2-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday. The German shot-stopper was a surprise inclusion in Pep Guardiola's starting line-up for the crunch match, replacing stalwart Ederson between the posts as the side aimed to end their atrocious run of form. But City were outplayed by Arne Slot's men in the Premier League encounter, with Ortega forced to pick the ball out of the net in each half, first following Cody Gakpo's opener and later after Mohamed Salah lashed home a penalty. Things could have been worse for the away team without Ortega's sharp reflexes and Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane described the keeper as 'world class' after the 32-year-old made a fingertip save to divert Virgil van Dijk's header onto the post in the opening period. The result means the Cityzens are without a victory in seven matches, the longest winless streak in Guardiola's managerial career, and the Spaniard was teased by chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning' from the home fans, to which he replied with a six-finger gesture referring to the number of Premier League titles he has won. After the match, Ortega gave his reaction to the chants, directing his ire towards the city of Liverpool in a remarkable interview. Stefan Ortega described Liverpool as 'probably not the best part in the UK' after his side's loss The goalkeeper turned in a solid performance after surprisingly replacing stalwart Ederson Pep Guardiola responded to home fans' taunts with a six-finger gesture referring to the amount of titles he has won He said: 'Someone told me before that this area [Liverpool] is probably not the best part in the UK. I think the manager reacted really well. ' The rivalry between the two sides has been one of the most prominent in football in recent years with the teams sharing the last seven titles between them. Indeed, furious encounters between City boss Guardiola and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp often made headlines as the pair vied for Premier League glory. At times, the rivals have clashed off the field too with both sets of fans seen throwing punches on Wembley Way ahead of the Reds' dramatic 3-2 win in the FA Cup semi-final in 2022. On that occasion, police were forced to intervene as the violent scenes continued in the build-up to kick-off. Three years prior, supporters came to blows on the London Underground before the sides faced off in the Community Shield. Punches were thrown and fans were filmed kicking each other, with some falling to the floor. Liverpool's win on Sunday looks set to ramp up the on-field rivalry as the Reds' assured display left the champions with a mountain to climb to win a fifth consecutive title. City looked like they were still reeling after a Champions League capitulation against Feyenoord Cody Gakpo slotted home the opener, getting on the end of a wonderful cross from Salah Salah completed Liverpool's comfortable win over City with a composed penalty The home side dominant the opening period at Anfield against a City outfit which still looked shell-shocked following their midweek capitulation against Feyenoord in the Champions League. And Liverpool's superiority paid off within 12 minutes as Gakpo turned home a brilliant Salah cross to send Reds fans into ruptures. City continue to look a shadow of their former selves, only attempting their first shot in the 39th minute, but came out for the second period a more energised side - perhaps after some half-time fireworks from Guardiola. They still failed to register a single attempt on target, however, and when Ortega brought Luis Diaz down in the box, a calm penalty from Salah left the champions staring down the barrel of a fourth straight Premier League defeat and the title slipping away from them. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group