Gabriel Jesus “not happy” that Man City teammate Riyad Mahrez took penalty vs Liverpool

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Gabriel Jesus has revealed his displeasure at not being allowed to take the penalty that Riyad Mahrez subsequently missed in Manchester City’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

City were awarded the spot-kick in the 85th minute when Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have brought down Leroy Sane in the Liverpool box.

And, after it initially looked liked Gabriel Jesus would be stepping up to take the penalty, Riyad Mahrez instead took over duties, backed by manager Pep Guardiola.

The former Leicester man blazed the effort over the bar and, following the game, 21-year-old Jesus has not been shy in revealing his thoughts about the decision:

“Obviously I’m not happy. As Riyad, I’ve been practising [taking 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,” he is reported to have said on Sunday evening.

Jesus did, however, admit that Guardiola apologised to him after the game and that he will back Mahrez if Guardiola puts him on penalty duty again.

“Pep spoke with me. This is part of football, sometimes these things happen. I will support Riyad if the manager chooses him again,” he said (via BBC).

Mahrez, 27, is understandably disappointed with the miss, which would have left City as outright Premier League leaders, but is putting a brave face on things.

“It is part of football, you have to go forward and stay strong. Sometimes you score, sometimes you miss,” the Algerian said. “We are not just a team that wants to play and leaves big spaces, but we are a team who want to be strong defensively. It’s a good draw and we deserved to win.”

The draw leaves City, Liverpool and Chelsea all level at the top of the Premier League with 20 points.

Guardiola’s men face Burnley at home after the international break.

The post Gabriel Jesus “not happy” that Man City teammate Riyad Mahrez took penalty vs Liverpool appeared first on Squawka News.



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