City are so back into the title race

Last season will be in Liverpool’s fans memories for a long time. Not only did they won the Premier League title comfortably, but they also played great and recorded two wins over their biggest title rivals in recent years – Manchester City. In the space of just three months, the Reds defeated the league champions first at Anfield (in December 2024), and then at the Etihad (February 2025), scoring two goals in both matches and keeping the clean sheet. But everything changes this season. The Citizens were in the middle of the squad overhaul and were ravaged with injuries while Liverpool had almost none and Arne Slot inherited a well oiled ‘machine’ from Jurgen Klopp. But yesterday, Pep Guardiola got his revenge.

Calvary in red! Sensational Doku and Haaland annihilate clueless Liverpool

Arguably one of the best coaches ever prepared the game brilliantly and never allowed Liverpool to ruin his big achievement - 1000th game in his coaching career. Guardiola has collected 715 victories in all competitions since first taking charge of Barcelona B in 2007, going on to lift 12 top-flight titles at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, as well as three Champions League crowns. The Spaniard has lost only 128 matches, claiming another 14 cup victories during his illustrious career and he was nowhere near losing yesterday against Liverpool. And it’s not only the game against the Reds. Let’s not forget the impressive home victories against Bournemouth and Dortmund which means City have now scored ten goals and conceded only two in the last three games. Looks like Manchester from previous seasons.

"When we lost at Aston Villa or lost at the beginning of the season, I said the team had a good vibe but don't ask me why. The reason why is look at the bench and even Abdukodir Khusanov who was not selected. Last season we couldn't do that. We lost energy with the players we fielded. I think the four Premier Leagues in a row affected us in a really bad way. We were not like what I think this team has shown in many many years. It can be understandable a little bit. We tried to push each other but we were not able to do it. Even with that, we finished third when normally in the Premier League in that situation you would finish 10th. We never gave up and in the last 15 to 20 games we were the best in the Premier League. Since the Club World Cup, I felt something different in general and last season was not one reason. Everyone was involved and me the first and that's why” explained the Spaniard.

Slot admits he is not thinking about the title race

Guardiola was impressed with his left back Nico O’Reilly who completely shut down Mohamed Salah, but also with man of the match Jeremy Doku.

“Salah has been a nightmare for many years and Nico said he had to be aggressive with him. It helped that whenever Mo had the ball we had three or four players around him. You will never have a better test as a full-back than to face Salah. Defensively we were really good, especially in the first half. Conor Bradley the right-back I was really, really impressed with, Pep Lijnders said he could do everything. I know the game against Real Madrid how good he was against Vinicius. And Jeremy handled it, aggressive with and without the ball. He played an outstanding game” said Manchester City manager.