Kostas Tsimikas praised for not pushing Pep Guardiola after Manchester City boss celebrates in face of Liverpool man

Rio Ferdinand was impressed that Liverpool substitute Kostas Tsimikas had the restraint to avoid pushing Pep Guardiola following a provocatory celebration by the Manchester City manager.

The Spaniard leapt in the air and pumped both fists towards the crowd, just as Liverpool replacement Tsimikas was crossing the City technical area on his way to warm up.

Guardiola turned to face the Greek defender and celebrate in front of him, and Ferdinand was impressed with Tsimikas’ self control.

“That celebration there, I don’t know how Tsimikas hasn’t pushed Pep Guardiola out of the way,” Ferdinand told BT Sport. “He seems happy.

He can see it’s a fantastic team goal, really well worked from Man City, and he couldn’t contain himself.”

Things got even better for City in the second half as they completed the turnaround after conceding an early goal to Mohamed Salah, with Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish netting in the second half to clinch a 4-1 win.

The victory kept the pressure on league leaders Arsenal, narrowing the gap between the two to five points ahead of The Gunners’ clash with Leeds United at the Emirates.

City have now won seven games in a row in all competitions, and are still in contention to complete a treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup trophies.

They travel to Southampton next Saturday, before facing Bayern Munich at home in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on April 11.