Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega caught a ton of flak for his comments about the city of Liverpool following the reigning champions' 2-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday
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Stefan Ortega protesting the penalty decision at Anfield
Liverpool eased to a 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Anfield
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Alan Pardew warned Stefan Ortega that his comments about Liverpool will result in the Manchester City hierarchy contacting him. The City stopper was between the sticks for Sunday's (December 1) clash at Anfield that saw Arne Slot's side claim a 2-0 win against the reigning league champions.
The German was surprisingly chosen ahead of Ederson and while he made a number of key saves after Cody Gakpo's opener, he conceded a penalty late in the second half when bringing down Luis Diaz.
Mohamed Salah dispatched the spot-kick, just four days after missing one against Real Madrid, to secure the 2-0 victory that moved Liverpool 11 points clear of Pep Guardiola's side.
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The Spanish boss took part in a back-and-forth with the Anfield crowd who chanted 'You're getting sacked in the morning' with the 53-year-old responding by holding up six fingers in reference to the six Premier League titles he's won since his arrival in Manchester.
Guardiola's antics were discussed by Ortega following the game who caught the wrath of the Liverpool population after strangely disparaging the city. When asked about the actions of his boss, 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."
During an appearance on talkSPORT's The Final Word, the ex-West Ham and Newcastle boss called the goalkeeper's comments "stupid" and stated that he'll come to regret it.
Mohamed Salah scores past Stefan Ortega during Liverpool 2-0 Man City.
Mohamed Salah netted a penalty against Ortega to secure Liverpool's 2-0 win over Manchester City
"He shouldn't have said that, absolutely not," Pardew said. "It's the frustration, the anger, the pressure. And then saying something stupid like that, he'll regret that.
"And he's going to regret it quite soon because he'll be getting a few texts, and a few messages I'm sure onto his mobile phone from the hierarchy at his football club."
While he denounced Ortega's remarks, he admitted the pressure that City are currently under, having lost their last four league games, may have an impact on the goalkeeper.
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"We can't hold him [Ortega] to court over that, it's a stupid error to say," the 63-year-old added. "It just goes to show you the depth of pressure that is on you as a Premier League player, Premier League manager.
"Pep coming out doing the six signal, and all that, it's all part of the process. It draws you out, this game. It brings out the best in you sometimes, but it can also bring out the worst in you."
Now nine points clear of Arsenal in second, Liverpool return to action on Wednesday (December 4) as they travel to take on Newcastle United.