Pep Guardiola frustrated with key element of Manchester City’s display against Liverpool | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was not pleased with one aspect of his side’s performance in their 3-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

The Blues cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to four points as strikes from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku secured a deserved triumph for the eight-time Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola celebrated his 1,000th game in management in style as his in-form side put the reigning champions to the sword in a statement win ahead of the November international break, with City in second place in the Premier League table.

“I said to the players, ‘Guys don’t do it because yesterday Arsenal didn’t win. You have to do it because you believe in yourself, playing against the Champions of England, and you have to show them that we are able to be there with them all this season!’ And today I think we proved it, we did it,” Guardiola said in his post-match press conference.

Manchester City were at their stunning best against an indifferent Liverpool side on Sunday, with the Blues putting Arne Slot’s men to the sword and not allowing the Reds any room for a comeback in the second-half despite a slugging 10-15 minute spell after the restart.

“I didn’t like the second-half against Liverpool,” Guardiola added. “But we did a fantastic week for us! I’m really pleased for the game. Just a thank you to the players, staff for giving me that incredible present, to win against the most important opponent that we faced in our 10 years here, by far.

“It has been nice playing against them (Liverpool) and seeing Virgil (van Dijk)and (Andy) Robertson, all the players, Mo Salah – that we’ve been in a thousand, million battles. And hopefully there will be more and more doing it against them, because it has been so special!

“And I think Pep (Pepijn) Lijnders represents a little bit Jurgen (Klopp) because he has been there, so it’s been a special night, with my kids here.”

City have collected 11 wins in their last 14 games in all competitions since September and Guardiola will know his side are in pole position to build on their current run of results and challenge Arsenal all the way for the Premier League title.

The Blues also sit in fourth place in the UEFA Champions League group-phase rankings and took a giant step towards qualification for the Round of 16 with a 4-1 battering of Borussia Dortmund last week.

After a sobering 2024-25 campaign, City have gotten their act together after a busy transfer window and Guardiola was delighted to mark his 1,000th game in management in Manchester. “I’m so proud to do it here in Manchester, in my city,” the Catalan said while speaking to BBC Match of the Day after Sunday’s victory.

A tricky test away at Newcastle awaits Guardiola and co after the forthcoming international break and with Arsenal in unrelenting form, City have little room for error in the early months of the season, though Guardiola knows better than most that the Premier League title can’t be won but can certainly be lost in the autumn.