Guardiola refuses to admonish Walker over Liverpool goading

Pep Guardiola shrugged off the impact of Kyle Walker’s ill-advised social media post goading Liverpool.

The Manchester City full back tweeted, ‘So basically they thought they were gonna go 7 points ahead,’ next to an image of Leicester City’s Harry Maguire.

Maguire scored Leicester’s equaliser on Wednesday night as Liverpool failed to capitalise on City’s defeat at Newcastle.

Guardiola, who has previously referenced Benjamin Mendy’s use of social media, refused to publicly admonish Walker, who swiftly deleted the tweet.

‘I don’t control them,’ Guardiola said. ‘I’m not concerned about tweeting or instagram because I can’t control it.

‘I don’t think (it gives Liverpool extra motivation) because of one tweet. The opponents do things against us and nothing happens.’

Guardiola held a 30-minute dressing room inquest at St James’ Park and revealed he told his players to get back to basics ahead of Sunday’s clash with Arsenal.

‘We analysed, we talked,’ he added. ‘We saw what we had to improve and the way we have to attack some defensive structures like Newcastle.

‘Arsenal will be completely different. We’ve done it in the past. We analyse what we’ve done and need to repeat it.

‘It’s much better (after Liverpool’s draw), but immediately I say, “How’s our level?”. If it’s the same as the last game we’re not going to win.

‘You’re satisfied with the result and don’t see what you have to do then we won’t be contenders.’