Pep Guardiola has called on Liverpool to prevent a repeat of last season’s attack on Manchester City’s team coach.
The bus transporting Guardiola’s side to the Champions League quarter final tie at Anfield in April came under attack from missiles including bottles and flares.
No one was charged in connection with incident, which saw at least one of the coach’s windows shattered in the damage inflicted on its way to the stadium.
City are set to take a different route to for Sunday’s Premier League showdown while Merseyside Police vowing to ensure the ugly scenes are not replicated.
But Guardiola believes the onus should be on the Reds to ensure City’s safety.
He said: “The best way is that we should not need the police.
“Why should the police need to be there? For what? We arrive there, both sides, to play a Premier League game. Why should our fans have to protect our bus? Are you kidding me?
“I would like the police to go home at 4.30 with their families, drinking a beer and loving the show, that is what they should do.
“But that depends on the Liverpool people, not on Manchester City. The best way to protect the bus is down to the Liverpool fans who are there.
“The best way is that when the people arrive at the stadium [they are] going to see football game and enjoy watching both sides.”