Pep Guardiola has apologised after Manchester City fans chanted about the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies during Sunday's defeat against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Citizens suffered their first defeat of the season courtesy of a second-half goal from Mohamed Salah, but the fiery contest was marred by off-field incidents from both sets of supporters.
Liverpool released a statement condemning the "vile chants" from Man City fans and claim that the away section was vandalised with graffiti.
With City yet to issue an official response, Guardiola became the first representative of the club to address the media on the matter when he held a pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion.
"I didn't hear the chants. If it happened, I am so sorry," Guardiola told reporters. "It does not represent who we are as a team, as a club, if this happened. But don't worry, we can behave perfectly [after] our mistakes. Not a problem."
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In addition to the chanting and vandalism from City supporters in the away end, Liverpool fans were alleged to have thrown coins at Guardiola during the match, and both the Reds and the Metropolitan Police are now investigating the matter.
The Citizens also allege that their team bus was attacked and the windscreen was left damaged after objects were thrown towards it en route back to Manchester.
Furthermore, City have accused Jurgen Klopp – who was sent off in the closing stages of the match and subsequently charged by the FA for his conduct – for needlessly stoking tensions between the two clubs and deemed some of his pre-game comments as 'xenophobic'.
The rivalry between City and Liverpool has grown considerably in recent years, with both sides battling against each other for the Premier League title, but Guardiola has dismissed suggestions that the fixture has become toxic.
"No, I don't think it is [toxic]," Guardiola added. "From our side I am pretty sure of that."
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Man City have slipped four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal following their defeat against Liverpool, and Guardiola's side will be hoping to return to winning ways when Brighton & Hove Albion visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The Citizens are the only Premier League team who have had midweek rest, but Guardiola does not believe that his side will have an advantage over the Seagulls, who drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
"This is not different; we are used to playing in the latter stages of all competitions," the Spaniard added. "In the last six years, all the teams that don't play in Europe always have an advantage.
"If you take this point we could not win games because they were better, they were rested. This is not important, it's important to be ready mentally, rest a lot to prepare for the game.
"Normally we play games where the other team have more time to rest. Do we complain? Never."
Man City have won each of their last 12 Premier League matches on home soil, scoring 51 goals in the process, while Brighton – who currently sit eighth in the table – have failed to win any of their 12 visits to the Citizens.
Oliver Thomas
