Guardiola explains Man City’s Mahrez-Jesus penalty change

It’s one of the moments that could, all-told, honestly decide the Premier League title.

So putting Riyad Mahrez’s awful penalty miss under the microscope after Man City’s 0-0 draw at Liverpool makes a lot of sense.

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Here’s what happened: Gabriel Jesus won a penalty kick off Virgil van Dijk and walked toward the spot to take it. But a message from the sideline was relayed by Benjamin Mendy, sending Mahrez to the white paint.

Mahrez, who had made 7 of 9 penalty kicks in his career, made it 7 of 10 with a shot that looked intended for small aircrafts around Anfield. From the BBC:

“He had the courage and the balls to take the penalty, in training he shoots perfect penalties but sometimes it happens. The usual taker is Sergio Aguero but he wasn’t there. We played so well so if you want to analyze the result it was ok. Last season we lost here, and this season we drew, maybe next season we will win.”

Gabriel Jesus was ready to take the penalty. Then Mendy came on with a message that Mahrez had been chosen to take it. pic.twitter.com/GjUhHCcoGf

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 7, 2018

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