Pep causes controversy with explanation on cuts to his face after Man City draw

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claimed he “wanted to hurt himself” after visible scratches were spotted on his face.

The Spaniard's problems increased on Tuesday evening as City's winless run against Feyenoord continued. After five previous defeats, the Premier League champions looked set to secure victory as they took a 3-0 lead against the Dutch side.

But they inexplicably collapsed to draw within the final 15 minutes. And after the match, Guardiola appeared to have cut his nose, while he also had other marks on his head.

When reporters asked him the reason for the injuries, he suggested it was a self-inflicted accident but joked that he wanted to hurt himself. Guardiola said: “My finger, here [points to nose]. My nail. I want to harm myself.”

A member of the assembled media tried to console the Spaniard. When Guardiola left the press conference, they said: “It will be fine.”

Things won't get any easier for City this weekend when they take on Liverpool at Anfield. And Guardiola has underlined his desire to get his side back on track ahead of the trip to Merseyside.

He added: “Three episodes didn't let us win, which we needed. For many reasons, not just because of the qualification requirements and obtaining the points. Other reasons.

“It is what it is. So hard to swallow right now. The game was good. We scored three, we could have scored more, we do everything, but in the end we mainly give away the first one and after that we are not stable enough to do it.

“It's not about not running, not committing, none of that, but in football you have to do it at certain times. The second goal, the second post, hits the post. Improve, what can you do? So rest for one or two days and prepare for Anfield.”

When asked how he will pick up his players, Guardiola replied: “We have to, I have to, it is my job. We are playing a good match, but of course we have to and we were not in control of the last minutes.”

If City lose to Arne Slot's team this weekend, City could already be eleven points behind in the race for the Premier League title. After the trip to Liverpool, City next host Nottingham Forest, ahead of a trip to Crystal Palace.