Pep Guardiola accepts he is responsible for keeping his emotions in check when Manchester City face Liverpool, but joked it is his dream to be sent off against Jurgen Klopp's side.
Both City and Liverpool have held high-level peace talks to try and improve relations after a bad-tempered meeting in October that saw both managers clash in the technical area and ugly scenes in the stands. Liverpool were furious at unacceptable chanting and gestures from the away end, while coins were thrown at Guardiola and City claimed their bus was attacked on the way out of Anfield.
The incidents follow other accusations and ugly incidents in previous meetings, and both clubs held a meeting with supporter groups last month to reset relations. City CEO Ferran Soriano and Liverpool counterpart Billy Hogan this week sent supporters a letter asking for help to report 'unacceptable behaviour' from a minority of fans on both sides.
Ahead of the game, Guardiola was asked about the responsibility of himself and Klopp to keep their emotions in check on the touchline. While he fully accepted that responsibility, he defended his previous behaviour and joked that he dreams of getting a red card against Liverpool.
Asked about the need for managers to set the tone for behaviour following the October clash when Klopp was sent off, Guardiola said: "Definitely. I wasn’t sent off. That’s in my dream against Liverpool, sooner or later it’s going to happen.
"We want to behave good, the players, the managers, the spectators but sometimes emotions and things happen. People can’t behave ice cold when you’re disallowed a goal in the biggest games.
"We will always react in that way but respect the officials, the rules and the opponent is always there from my point of view. Reactions happen, that’s why the referees are there, to react and do what they believe is correct.
"The clubs try to create a good environment, it’s a football game. Try to create the emotions we are seeing in the World Cup, in Argentina right now in the streets.
"You see that, it’s amazing, we want to try. Everything we can build with the clubs, managers, players and so on. It's just a game, let’s make people happy, that’s what we try to do."
Earlier, Guardiola had sent a message to supporters, urging them to back their team in a positive way.
He said: "Be supportive, support your team unconditionally. This country is the best example. Enjoy the games with incredible players on both sides. Always has been this way."