Pep: It’s been a special night | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola admits he was delighted by the way his players helped him celebrate his 1000th game in management.

The boss watched his side comprehensively beat defending Premier League champions Liverpool 3-0 at an ecstatic Etihad.

And he says the way his team performed from start to finish made reaching an incredible managerial milestone all the more memorable.

“I don’t want to betray myself. I love when we take the ball, and we pass it,” said Guardiola.

“That’s why we press high to regain the ball quick. I like to see my team play short passes and the guys who have the ability to run one v one have to do it.

“The first half was very good offensively and defensively. We had the threat in behind. The second half, we talk about the duels. Our mindset is to win the ball.

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“What is it when I have the ball and I make an extra pass and don’t lose the ball? We talk a lot about that in the last few days.

“In the second half, in the first few minutes we lose the ball and that makes it more difficult.

“It was more difficult for Rayan because the space was more on the left for the way we defend.

“The whole back four, Bernie, Nico were outstanding. Thank you to the players and staff for the incredible present in this game to win against the most important rival we have faced in this 10 years here.

“It has been nice to play against them - Virgil, Robertson, Salah - we have done a 1000 battles.

“I think Pep Lijnders, my assistant, represents a bit of Jurgen in a small way. It has been a special night with my kids here, so it was good.”

And Pep praised Nico O’Reilly for the way he nullified the sizeable threat of Mohamed Salah, who has been a thorn in City’s side numerous times over the past eight years.

“He has been a nightmare, Salah, for many years. He’s top,” Pep said.

“I said to Nico you have to be aggressive. He had help from central defender and midfielders every time Mo had the ball.

“Jeremy, Bernardo, Phil were all there. It was incredible teamwork, but Nico [O’Reilly] made a step up because at the end you have to prove yourself against the best wingers.

“There is no better example to do it when you play against Salah, he did really good. He’s with the national team because Thomas is smart enough to see how he’s been playing.

“He had many good attributes but this intensity in duels he didn’t have in the Academy because he was an eight or a 10 in midfield. I’m so pleased with the way he performed.”