A familiar face set the tone for Manchester City against Liverpool | OneFootball

Manchester City picked up a precious 2-1 victory over Liverpool yesterday at Anfield. After Dominik Szoboszlai had fired Liverpool into the lead in the 74th minute, Pep Guardiola’s side had to dig deep to leave a venue they typically struggle at with all three points. Goals from Bernardo Silva and a late penalty from Erling Haaland saw City pick up a massive victory in a crucial Premier League fixture. In terms of Manchester City’s performance, they dominated the first half but had to weather an onslaught of sorts from Liverpool in the second half. Across the full 90 minutes, Bernardo Silva set the tone and led the way for Manchester City. Bernardo’s performance was brilliant and was a key component of Pep Guardiola’s side’s win.

Bernardo Silva was at his best for Manchester City against Liverpool.

Heading into yesterday’s match, Bernardo Silva was in doubt for the game against Liverpool due to a hamstring injury. When the starting lineups were announced, Bernardo was in Manchester City’s starting eleven against a team he typically saves his best for. He did exactly that yesterday, and his performance was vital in Manchester City’s come-from-behind win.

In the first half, Bernardo Silva was everywhere. In the early stages of the first half, Liverpool pressed City well when Pep Guardiola’s side attempted to play out from the back. City struggled to get out on occasion. To mitigate this, Bernardo Silva dropped deep to help his teammates in their moment of need. Moments like this get missed in the analysis of games, but Bernardo’s efforts were key to City riding out Liverpool’s high press. He also set the tone for the first half in which Manchester City dominated. City played arguably their best 45 minutes of the season in the first half at Anfield, and Bernardo set the tone for Manchester City’s first-half display.

In the second half, Liverpool raised their intensity, and up until Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free kick, the hosts were the better team. But City never gave up the fight. Bernardo Silva, along with the efforts of Rodri and Marc Guehi in particular, ensured that City weren’t blown away by Arne Slot’s side. The trio dug deep, and their ability to break up play and make crucial interventions set the stage for City to stay in the game and come back from a goal down. As a leader, Bernardo Silva was inspirational, and he got his rewards at the end of yesterday’s pulsating match.

When City had to win the game, Bernardo Silva lifted again.

At 1-0 down, with the game heading into the 84th minute, Manchester City needed someone to provide a moment of inspiration. It was Bernardo Silva who stepped up. He scored Manchester City’s equalizer as he got on the end of Erling Haaland’s flick-on from a deflected Rayan Cherki cross. City had their equalizer, and the opportunity to win the game was there. For the penalty that Manchester City earned to win the game, it was Bernardo Silva who played in Matheus Nunes, who was fouled by Liverpool keeper Alisson. Erling Haaland dispatched the penalty, and City had fought from 1-0 down to have a 2-1 lead. It was a lead Manchester City would hold onto, and Bernardo Silva’s fingerprints were all over City’s vital victory.

Pep Guardiola had special praise for Manchester City’s captain after his team’s massive win.

Speaking after his team’s massive win over Liverpool, Pep Guardiola had high praise for Bernardo Silva. He lauded the Manchester City captain’s influence on his team. Speaking on Bernardo Silva’s inspirational performance, Pep Guardiola said: “At the end we were guided by our incredible player. One of the best ever to play or train – our captain Bernardo. We follow him. I follow him too. He puts the team in front of himself. He does things through his own example. Everybody follows him, me the first.”

“He scored the first one from the Erling assist, and made the assist for Matheus for the penalty.”

Bernardo Silva was at his best against Liverpool. When City needed someone to rise to the occasion, Bernardo led the way, as he always does. Manchester City picked up a famous victory over Liverpool yesterday. City’s win felt like a massive step in this City side’s development. At the heart of Manchester City’s win was Bernardo Silva. He put in a captain’s display for the ages to help City break their Anfield hoodoo.