Guardiola hails Manchester City win at Liverpool as ‘brilliant advert’ for Premier League

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said his side’s win at Liverpool was a ‘brilliant advert’ for the Premier League.

City kept alive their title hopes with a dramatic 2-1 win at Liverpool on Sunday. Late goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland saw the Citizens come from behind, securing only the club’s fourth win at Anfield in 54 attempts.

For Guardiola, it was a first away win at Liverpool with fans in the ground and a crucial victory in the context of the season. City’s win reduces Arsenal’s lead in the title race to six points ahead of a full round of midweek fixtures.

Guardiola was delighted with his side’s spirit, as City bounced back from Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick opener to recover and take all three points.

Bernardo Silva stabbled in an equaliser, before Haaland decided the game from the spot in stoppage time. City were awarded a penalty when Alisson wiped out Matheus Nunes in the box.

The visitors had the ball in the back of the net a third time late on, via Rayan Cherki, in a chaotic conclusion, only for Szoboszlai to be penalised – and sent off – for a foul in the lead up to the goal. After a dramatic finish, Guardiola reflected on a vital victory for his team.

“It was a brilliant advert for the Premier League. First half was really good and we lost a bit of momentum in the second half. Anfield can feel like that,” he said to BBC Match of the Day.

“After that, we played more direct and after that we lost the ball and we were so passive. What a strike from Szoboszlai and after that, led by our captain Bernardo, we come back.

“The spirit has been there and in general the first half was really good and second half a bit of fatigue. Omar and Erling were passive and that’s why we struggled.”

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