Jesus not happy Guardiola picked Mahrez to take penalty

Pep Guardiola opted for Riyad Mahrez to take a penalty over Gabriel Jesus and the Algerian missed on Sunday.

Published : Oct 09, 2018 08:55 IST

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus
Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus
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Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus

Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus said that he was not happy with Pep Guardiola's decision not to allow him to take the late penalty against Premier League rival Liverpool.

City manager Guardiola prevented Jesus from taking the 86th-minute spot-kick, instead opting for club-record signing Riyad Mahrez, who fired his effort over the bar as the champions drew 0-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

Guardiola apologised to Jesus afterwards and the 21-year-old Brazil international insisted that he felt confident to take the penalty.

READ: Mourinho criticism becoming 'personal' – Neville backs United boss

"Obviously, I'm not that happy. As Riyad, I've been practicing [penalties]. I would like to have taken it. I was confident, so I was not happy that they did not allow me. However, it was important that we didn't lose. Pep spoke with me. This is part of football, sometimes these things happen. I will support Riyad if the manager chooses him again," he told reporters.

Jesus has struggled for form since the World Cup, having scored just once in the Premier League this season – against Huddersfield Town in August.

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