“Sacked in the morning, you’re getting sacked in the morning.”

Liverpool were closing in on a win that would take them 11 points clear of title rivals Manchester City when the chants echoed around Anfield in the 89th minute.

They were directed at Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind six Premier League title triumphs since taking charge of City in 2016.

The City boss, standing in his technical area, responded with a smile and then took his hands out of his pockets to hold up one hand and one finger to indicate the number of titles City have won under him.

“I didn’t expect that at Anfield,” Guardiola told Sky Sports afterwards when asked about the “sacked in the morning” chants.

“I didn’t expect it from the people from Liverpool but it’s fine, it’s part of the game, and I understand completely.

“We’ve had incredible battles together. I have a respect for them.”

City, who end the weekend fifth in the table below Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Brighton, have lost their last four top-flight games for the first time since August 2008.

In addition, they are without a win in seven in all competitions – unheard of under Guardiola who has brought so much joy and success to City in the last eight years.

“All the stadiums want to sack me, it started at Brighton [on 9 November],” added the 53-year-old, who signed a new two-year contract extension last month.

“Maybe they are right with the results we’ve been having.”

Guardiola has also delivered one Champions League, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups, the Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup during his time at City.

BBC Radio 5 Live chief football correspondent John Murray, who was at Anfield, said Guardiola also made the number six gesture in front of City’s travelling after the final whistle.

“Pep is in front of the City fans and again he’s putting one hand and one finger up,” added Murray.

“Those are the six titles he is talking about. It’s like he’s saying, ‘remember what we’ve done’.”

City have been English champions in six of the past seven seasons under Guardiola – Liverpool won on the other occasion – but the gap between them and the table-topping Reds has prompted some pundits to write off their title chances after their latest loss.

“I don’t see there’s any way back for Manchester City now,” former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports.

“Sometimes you need to lose so people realise what you’ve done – but this season Manchester City will not win the Premier League.”

Former City defender Micah Richards added: “I wouldn’t say it’s the end of an era.

“It’s a difficult time, but they’re going to find a way to get back. Some of the players have let Guardiola down today. They’re a shadow of their best.”

Yet with 25 games and 75 points still to play for, Guardiola refused to concede the title despite the 11-point gap between City and Liverpool.

“Teams are good and we can’t handle it right now,” he admitted. “I have to find a solution to be solid. What can I say?

“These players have given me the chance to live maybe the best years of my life. All I can do is be here to try to find a solution.”

In what is being regarded as comments directed towards his playing squad and the club’s future ambitions, Guardiola added: “In the right moment the club will take a decision about what is needed to allow this club to still be there.”