‘If I could pick one player to be in that position, it would’ve been him’: Micah Richards shocked by Riyad Mahrez’s injury-time miss against Liverpool – and says Man City winger was trying to be ‘too clever’
- Riyad Mahrez missed an late chance as Manchester City drew with Liverpool
- Micah Richards accused Richards of trying to be too clever by going for a chip
- Kevin De Bruyne admitted that it would have been a wonder goal if it had gone in
Micah Richards has expressed his bewilderment after Riyad Mahrez missed a golden chance late on in Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against title rivals Liverpool.
With the two sides level towards the end of a high octane and high quality encounter, Mahrez had the opportunity to be the hero when he was played through by Kevin De Bruyne.
A win would have sent City three points clear of Liverpool and could have been hugely significant with regards to the title race.
Micah Richards was left shocked after Riyad Mahrez missed a late chance against Liverpool
Richards felt confident that Mahrez would score, but the winger – who had entered the fray as a substitute – attempted to chip Alisson and the ball ended up going over the crossbar as a result.
After the game former Manchester City defender Richards accused Mahrez of trying to be too clever.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Richards said: ‘If I could pick one player to be in that position, it would’ve been Riyad Mahrez. You know he’s going to come inside onto his left foot but he tries to be too clever.
‘He goes for the cheeky dink but you expect him to whip it like he does and put it away.’
Richards felt confident Mahrez would score but accused him of trying to be too clever
The result leaves City one point clear of Liverpool, with both teams having seven games still to play.
De Bruyne put City ahead after just five minutes, with Diogo Jota equalising for Liverpool before Gabriel Jesus restored the hosts’ advantage.
Sadio Mane pulled Liverpool level again while Mahrez squandered the opportunity to secure all three points for City.
De Bruyne admitted in his post-match interview that Mahrez’s chance was an excellent one.
He said: ‘It’s a great chance. Riyad chose to chip the keeper, if it goes in it’s a wonder goal.’
Guardiola was left frustrated after Mahrez’s miss but stressed that he is very proud of his team
Despite City not being able to take all three points, Guardiola stressed after the game that he is extremely proud of his team.
He said: ‘Klopp likes these punching games. It’s a good advert for the Premier League. Both teams want to try to win. Liverpool is a joy to watch and all the threats they have up front. I’m so proud of my team. We performed incredibly well. Both teams know we have seven games left and we have to win all of them.’
City will now turn their attention to the Champions League, where they have a 1-0 advantage over Atletico Madrid going into the second leg of their quarter-final tie.
Then follows another meeting with Liverpool, this time at Wembley in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, with the treble still a possibility for City.
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