Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City were « really good » against Liverpool despite slipping to a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad. Although they enjoyed plenty of possession, the champions appeared toothless in attack in the absence of the injured Erling Haaland.
On the contrary, the Reds were ruthless in the first half as Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai scored the goals that put them 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Guardiola, however, was defiant afterwards and defended his side’s performance.
« If you analyse the game today, we were really good, » he said to Sky Sports. « We lost, and when you lose there is nothing much to say, but the way we played was really good. »
The loss came just four days after City went out of the Champions League at Real Madrid, and Guardiola’s men now face a fight to qualify for the competition next season. Thet stay fourth, but level on points with Newcastle below them.
However, the manager sent a warning to Liverpool and co that his club are on the right track to becoming a force again. « I saw many things that this club has a bright future with the players that we have, » he added.
« Except Kevin de Bruyne and maybe Nathan Ake, all the players are so, so young. What the club decides next for the future, there is a bright future for this club in the next years.
« Everyone knows that a part will be here next season for the older players but we have to build for the next step. There is a question of time. What we have done in previous seasons is good but now we are away from them. »
Despite his positivity, the decision to play Phil Foden in the ‘false nine’ role ultimately backfired as The Reds dealt comfortably with City’s threat.
Jeremy Doku did make inroads as he gave Trent Alexander-Arnold a torrid time wide on the left but the winger frequently failed to find an end product.
Omar Marmoush did finish clinically in the first half only to be scuppered by the offside flag, but the absence of Haaland was telling. And Guardiola acknowledged his side lacked a cutting edge despite making a promising start before Salah’s 14th-minute opener.
« Maybe we missed more productivity in the shots but we played against a fantastic team, » he said. « Maybe at the start it was 50-50 and we could not convert. »
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