Pep Guardiola Claims Liverpool’s Decline Was “Inevitable” After Letting Key Star Leave.

In the wake of Liverpool’s painful penalty shootout defeat to Crystal Palace, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has poured fuel on the fire with a blunt assessment of the Reds’ current struggles. Speaking to reporters after City’s own match, Guardiola didn’t hold back when asked about Liverpool’s latest performance.

“I said it the moment he left Liverpool—they would suffer without him, and that’s exactly what happened today,” Guardiola said, his tone calm but cutting. “They lacked the creativity he brings to a team, the spark that changes games. The Liverpool I saw today, especially with these two they’re trying to build the squad around, won’t go far in the Premier League. Mark my words—without a player like him, their fall is only a matter of time.”

The comments immediately went viral, with fans and pundits alike speculating over which player Guardiola was referring to. Many pointed to a former Liverpool midfield maestro known for dictating games and unlocking defences—a profile glaringly absent in Klopp’s current setup.

Liverpool’s defeat was a frustrating affair. Despite dominating possession, they failed to break down a disciplined Crystal Palace defence, ultimately falling short in a tense penalty shootout. The lack of invention in the final third was glaring, and Guardiola’s words cut right to the heart of the problem.

On social media, frustrated fans echoed Guardiola’s sentiment, with some writing: “We need to ask for his forgiveness for letting him leave 🙀😱🙀.” The regret over his departure is now louder than ever.

Whether Guardiola’s comments were genuine concern or classic mind games remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: Liverpool’s path back to glory just became a lot more complicated, and the pressure on Jürgen Klopp to find answers has never been greater.