Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany dropped following bust-up with team-mate Fernandinho during defeat at Liverpool 

  • Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho involved in row at half-time at Anfield
  • Duo were dropped for game against Leicester City three days later
  • Insider says: 'Others had to get involved to stop it getting worse'
  • Kompany said to have reacted furiously after Fernandinho criticism
  • City duo were at fault for Liverpool's first goal in defeat
  • Premier League champions play Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday 

Vincent Kompany lost his place in the Manchester City team following a dressing-room row with Fernandinho.

Sportsmail understands the pair were involved in a heated exchange that threatened to boil over at half-time during their 2-1 defeat at Liverpool.

A City insider told Sportsmail: 'Fernandinho had a bit of a go at Vinnie and he went right back at him. He was raging and didn't take well to the criticism. Others had to get involved to stop it getting worse.'

Vincent Kompany against Arsenal
Fernandinho of Manchester City

Vincent Kompany (left) and Fernandinho (right) were involved in a dressing-room row at Liverpool

Kompany looked at ease during Manchester City training alongside Edin Dzeko (left) on Wednesday

Kompany looked at ease during Manchester City training alongside Edin Dzeko (left) on Wednesday

Kompany was dropped to the bench when Manchester City hosted Leicester City last week

Kompany was dropped to the bench when Manchester City hosted Leicester City last week

Kompany attempts to tackle Raheem Sterling during City's 2-1 defeat by Liverpool three days earlier

Kompany attempts to tackle Raheem Sterling during City's 2-1 defeat by Liverpool three days earlier

Tempers flared shortly after Manuel Pellegrini's men returned to the Anfield dressing room with the score at 1-1, according to the Mirror.

Liverpool had opened the scoring when Fernandinho sold Kompany short and Philippe Coutinho nipped in before Jordan Henderson struck from long-range.

A source told the paper team-mates feared the pair would come to blows after Fernandinho criticised his captain for his part in the goal.

Kompany is said to have reacted furiously before Pellegrini told the Belgium centre-half that he should listen to his team-mate.

The 28-year-old is then reported to have reacted even more angrily before rounding on anyone who challenged him.

City went on to lose the game 2-1. 

Jordan Henderson and his Liverpool team-mates celebrate after Philippe Coutinho's winner at Anfield

Jordan Henderson and his Liverpool team-mates celebrate after Philippe Coutinho's winner at Anfield

Fernandinho started the game against Liverpool but was dropped out of the squad for the next game

Fernandinho started the game against Liverpool but was dropped out of the squad for the next game

City captain Kompany trains before his side's Premier League clash with Leicester

City captain Kompany trains before his side's Premier League clash with Leicester

Kompany, who signed a new five-year contract last summer following a 2008 move from Hamburg, was an unused substitute for the following match, a 2-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Leicester City, with Pellegrini claiming he needed to freshen his side up.

Brazilian Fernandinho, a £34m signing from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013, was left out of the squad altogether.

Manchester City declined to comment on the incident. However, they are understood to be happy that there is no lingering animosity, believe the row was over as quickly as it started and are of the opinion that it was similar to disagreements that happen on a regular basis in dressing rooms across the country.

They are also keen to point out that it had nothing to do with Kompany not playing the next game. 

The Premier League champions are currently five points behind leaders Chelsea, who have a game in hand.

They travel to Burnley in Saturday's late kick-off.

Kompany looks dejected as he claps towards the visiting fans after the disappointing defeat  on March 1

Kompany looks dejected as he claps towards the visiting fans after the disappointing defeat on March 1

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