Why Pep Lijnders is managing Man City against Liverpool

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Pep Guardiola will not be in the dugout for Manchester City's FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool as the boss serves the final game of his latest touchline ban

Pep Lijnders will be Man City's main man on the touchline against Liverpool(Image: AFP or licensors)

Pep Guardiola will complete the final fixture of his most recent touchline suspension during Manchester City's FA Cup quarter-final encounter with Liverpool.

The Spanish coach will be barred from the technical area for the showdown against Arne Slot's outfit following his sixth booking of the campaign in the fifth-round victory over Newcastle.

Guardiola has previously been absent from one FA Cup tie this term, observing proceedings from the stands in the third round after accumulating three yellow cards in qualifying fixtures.

Upon reaching another trio, the City manager was issued an additional two-match suspension.

Despite nearly a month having elapsed since incurring the ban, it solely pertains to Premier League and FA Cup fixtures.

Consequently, while Guardiola occupied the directors' box at West Ham to witness the 1-1 stalemate in the league, he was permitted to feature in the dugout for both legs of the Champions League elimination by Real Madrid and the Carabao Cup final success against Arsenal at Wembley.

Saturday's match will see Guardiola serve the final game of his two-match touchline ban, with assistant Pep Lijnders once again stepping up to lead the side.

Lijnders, who claimed major honours at Anfield as part of Jurgen Klopp's backroom staff, will welcome his old club to the Etihad Stadium and will take centre stage as City bids to secure another trip to Wembley.

Pep Guardiola will serve a touchline ban against Liverpool(Image: Molly Darlington/Copa, Getty Images)

Guardiola will be free to return to the dugout for every remaining fixture this season, beginning with Premier League away game at Chelsea before hosting Arsenal.

However, he will need to keep his behaviour in check, as accumulating another three yellow cards this season would result in a three-game suspension, reports the Manchester Evening News.

A City win on Saturday would mean Guardiola has reached at least the semi-finals of the FA Cup in nine of his ten seasons in English football, including each of the last eight campaigns.

The club has appeared in three consecutive finals, yet has only lifted the trophy on two occasions during the Spaniard's tenure.