Bernardo Silva has used an iconic Jose Mourinho phrase to avoid talking about the VAR controversy during Manchester City's defeat to Premier League title rivals Liverpool.
City were poor at Anfield as goals from Fabinho, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane saw Liverpool extend their lead in the Premier League over City to nine points.
Bernardo had pulled a goal back with 10 minutes remaining, but City could not build on that and left Anfield with nothing.
Things might have gone differently for City had they been awarded a penalty 22 seconds before Fabinho rifled Liverpool ahead. The ball had ricocheted off Bernardo, onto his hand and then onto the outstretched arm of Trent Alexander-Arnold. As City appealed for a penalty, Liverpool travelled up the other end and scored the opener.
However, manager Pep Guardiola wouldn't be drawn on the incident - plus two or three other potential penalty shouts - as he avoided questions on the referees.
Likewise, Bernardo was not in any mood to comment on the officiating of the game, choosing to echo the phrase made iconic by Jose Mourinho last season when he was still manager of Manchester United - 'I prefer not to speak.'
"I have not seen it yet," he told Sky Sports. "You guys should analyse it not me. If I speak I will be in trouble. I don't want to speak. I have not watched it."
Expanding on the game, Bernardo said City played well against a quality side, but might have brought defeat upon themselves.
"I think we played one of the best sides in the world, it's never easy in a stadium like Anfield," the Portuguese said.
"We had started better than them when we conceded the first goal. First counter, first goal, you cannot give them an inch, because if you do they will take it and score goals.
"It was a good performance but we want to win. Most teams may think they are playing better than Liverpool then at half-time you are losing two or three nil. It's how they play, they are one of the best counter attacking teams in the world."
Reflecting on the title race, Bernardo sent a warning to Liverpool as he vowed City would not give up their title easily.
"Congratulations to Liverpool," he continued. "We'll fight until the end. We've been in this position last season, we will never give up. We're only in November and they still have to play at the Etihad and there are plenty of games to play.
"We are not in the ideal position, or the one we'd want to be we have to improve."
Cuselprz
482
I thing VAR is using wrongly. They saw the penalty, why they didn’t stop the game. And it’s happens twice. I don’t understand. This is so unfair by VAR.
KwajoSarpong2018
456
Won't the Against Liverpool Union stop de cliché of we will catch up...I knw it is only November but City were on top in November last year and they also forgotten that they hv 5 of the top seven to play The League is over other league supporters shd go back to the farmers league
DjBM1
450
Unbelievable VAR DECISIONS, referee Oliver is insane , the way mistakes happened in Chelsea vs Man United game in an open game.
Mepablorsy
434
Forget abt city now, focus winning every remaining matches... Real threat for city are Chelsea and Leicester to be in rop 4
Nocblrsy
429
I like this Bernardo this guy really confess, according to what he said. it's how they play, they are one of the best counter attacking teams in the world. (is it speaking troughs). second point he said City played well against a quality side, but might have brought defeat upon themselves. "I think we played one of the best sides in the world, it's never easy in a stadium like Anfield. but what is it try to drive from this point is it what am thinking, that (if at all city lose they lose with quality team in the world). thank goodness both manager and plays know the quality of Liverpool, I jus like Manchester city they are not behave like Barcelona who beat by 4goals they still ask ref when and we going to meet again, they forget we're not playing the same league.
zeydnpry
380
Liverpool FC has beaten Manchester City.. Even on this platform Manchester City supporters are too quiet.Liverpool FC has just silenced Manchester City supporters...Thank you Jurgen Klopp for bringing such competition to the English Premier League... It should not be dominated by one club,as some people think.. "We are Liverpool. Anfield is Liverpool FC's stadium...❤️
Zawaeimpr
373
liverpool winning against Manchester city doesn't mean that they won the league title just check back the history it's just November an 9 points is nothing go back to last year an the year before it still early I know everyone wants liverpool to win them have it in dem hand so let's see
nokbdenrsz
369
PLEASE THE MATCH HAS ENDED AND FINALLY WE LIVERPOOL WON , SO CAN SOMEONE TELL KELVIN DE BRUYNE THAT 3 POINTS IS NOT ABOUT MAKING NOISE AND BOASTING BEFORE THE GAME. ASK BARCA, ARSENAL,PSG,BAYERN AND CO. LIVERPOOL HATERS CAN SHOUT VAR TILL WE LIFT EPL. IN CASE YOU LACK UNDERSTANDING OF VAR ITS JUST AN ASSISTANT AND NOT A REFEREE WETHER HANDBALL OR NOSEBALL WE WOULD STILL BEAT CITY TO CONFUSION
luvjofaze
184
Most teams may think they are playing better than Liverpool then at half-time you are losing two or three nil. It's how they play, they are one of the best counter attacking teams in the world." By Bernardo Silva
bipdlps
100
Coz he handled the ball in the build up to the pen issue after Lovren block.... so he’s playing safe.. had in gone in after that VAR was going to chop it off... Ref played advantage ignoring Bernado’s handball. You can give ref all the stick you like but HE MADE A CORRECT CALL😜
DaMhztourage
94
There isn't a better maturity and composure than that , Mou has another iconic response when quizzed by a journalist ...
SalahDewan
86
Congrate LFC ... for winning the game. The real challenge will come from Chelsea and Leicester. Keep up the gd work.