During Liverpool’s blockbuster clash with Man City, there was a concerted effort to throw Marc Guehi off his game with fans jeering him every time he touched the ball.
It was a charged atmosphere at Anfield on Sunday evening, even before the drama that saw City rescue their title hopes with a late comeback.
The boos towards Guehi started at kick-off — a clear message from Liverpool fans that they weren’t pleased to see him in a light-blue shirt.
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Marc Guehi pictured in action during Manchester City's Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA
After the game, Guehi was baffled by the reception from Liverpool fans, and Gary Lineker has come to his defence.
Gary Lineker says Marc Guehi boos were uncalled for
Lineker wasn’t at the game, but you didn’t have to be in the stands to hear the instant reaction to Guehi’s presence on the pitch.
It was loud and hostile whenever the Englishman received the ball — very much a coordinated effort.
Obviously, that was due to his decision to move to the Etihad in January. It stung even more considering how understaffed Liverpool are at the back.
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But that’s not a good enough reason for Lineker, who condemned the boos on Monday’s The Rest Is Football.
Mac Guehi receives instructions from Pep Guardiola during Manchester City's Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium
Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
He said: “I didn’t like the Liverpool fans booing Marc Guehi every time he got the football.
“He wanted to go to Liverpool. He had the shirt on. He had a picture taken. It wasn’t his decision. Crystal Palace pulled him back and then he’s come to the January window and City have gone in for him and they’ve done the deal with Palace.
“I mean, come on, guys. Whoever’s booing. I mean, really, he’s such a lovely guy as well.”
There is truth to what Lineker says about Guehi, in that he was ready to don the red shirt last summer before the deal was swept out from under him.
Where he has lost me is in claiming that how nice of a guy he is should matter one bit.
Marc Guehi boos don’t need to be justified by Liverpool fans
The way Lineker is reacting would have you thinking this was a nasty experience for a professional footballer. It’s part of the game.
Guehi chose not to wait for Liverpool, joining Man City for crazy money instead. But that too is a moot point.
In the past ten years, City have been our bitterest rivals, and each game against them carries that bit extra importance.
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Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
As the home side, you use every tool at your disposal to gain an advantage — that includes booing whoever you see fit.
No Liverpool fan is waking up every morning fuming with Guehi for his transfer decision (anymore), but when he comes to Anfield with a team that we have battled with so fervently in recent seasons, how nice a guy he is really doesn’t factor in at all.
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