Pep Guardiola credits Manchester City star whose “contribution is massive” for inspiring Liverpool comeback | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for club captain Bernardo Silva after a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Dominic Szoboszlai’s stunning second-half free-kick seemed to have secured all three points for the reigning Premier League champions in a finely-edged contest but Manchester City had the final say to claim a massive three points that gives them huge momentum in the title race.

An 84th minute leveller from Silva, who put in one of his best performances ever for the Blues at Anfield, and a stoppage-time penalty from Erling Haaland helped Manchester City record a first Premier League double over the Reds in 89 years.

City dominated proceedings in the first 45 minutes but as has been the case with Guardiola’s side in recent months, the Blues dropped majorly after the interval and allowed Liverpool to have a go at them – in the wake of a poor run of league form for Sunday’s visitors.

Guardiola and co entered Sunday’s fixture – at as difficult a venue as it gets for any Premier League visitor – knowing full well that anything less than three points would take their catch-up task with Arsenal from difficult to nearly impossible.

The Gunners extended their lead at the top of the table to nine points after running 3-0 winners against Sunderland on Saturday, with the ball left in City’s court as they sought to claim a second Premier League win in seven games upon their trip to Merseyside on Sunday.

Guardiola made wholesale changes to his starting XI from City’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg win over Newcastle United, with Bernardo Silva recovering from what Guardiola deemed to be an ‘incredible knock’ as he cast doubt over the Portuguese midfielder’s chances of facing Arne Slot’s men.

However, Silva started and led Manchester City to their most important victory of the season by launching the comeback on 84 minutes and helping the Blues see through a monumental result at the home of the Premier League champions.

Guardiola showered praise upon the City captain in his post-match press conference. “Guided by our incredible player, one of the best players I’ve ever trained – in this case our captain, Bernardo (Silva),” the Catalan said.

“We follow him, I follow him too because when a player puts a team always in front of himself, and does things through his own example, everybody follows him – me the first!

“He is one of the best players I have ever trained with. He is the perfect captain. It is a joy for me as a manager to have him. The team comes first. His contribution is massive and he is one of the legends of this club.”

The confidence boost a win at Anfield will give the Manchester City dressing room holds far more importance than three points, with the Blues not giving up just yet as they vie to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table and win a fifth Premier League title in six seasons.