It is safe to say that Liverpool supporters will not miss Bernardo Silva when he takes his Manchester City exit this summer.
The Portuguese has been a regular pantomime villain during the Reds’ clashes against Pep Guardiola’s side since he arrived at City in 2017, seemingly enjoying his role as public enemy number one.
Perhaps the biggest instance of Silva winding Liverpool fans up came in 2020, when, after the Reds secured the Premier League title, he refused to join in with a guard of honor delivered to the champions at the Etihad Stadium.
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Instead of applauding, Silva stood clutching and drinking from a polystyrene cup as he looked on in contempt. Liverpool fans have never forgiven or forgotten the moment of sour grapes, and as he prepares to finally leave City, the 31-year-old has finally explained himself.
Silva admits he’s a bad loser
Having collected six Premier League titles during his nine years with City, Silva is not used to losing.
Nevertheless, Liverpool made him swallow the pain of defeat twice, with 2020 being the first of those occasions.
Though it can’t have been easy for any of the City players to stand and clap their Liverpool counterparts ahead of the meeting at the Etihad in July 2020, they all dutifully did it, except for Silva.
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Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Portugal international admitted that he is a bad loser and suggested that his lack of regard for the feelings of fans of other clubs meant that he did not put any importance on the moment.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have done what I did,” Silva said, reportedly with a grin. “I’m a bad loser. But it’s a fun moment. I think some people give way too much importance to that!
“When I win a title, I want to celebrate with my people. I don’t care if the guys from the other side, or the other fans, they clap at me.”
Though City fans have since made the image of Silva and his polystyrene cup into a banner at the Etihad, it is a moment that will continue to rankle at Anfield. A wonderful player and champion he might be, but this demonstrated a total lack of grace which still does not reflect well on him six years later.
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