Man City´s display in Liverpool thrashing ´one of the best´ of Guardiola´s tenure

Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City’s 4-1 Premier League victory against Liverpool as one of the best in his time at the club.

City thrashed Liverpool on Saturday to, at least temporarily, close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points.

Having gone down to an early Mohamed Salah finish, City – shorn of Erling Haaland – levelled before half-time when Julian Alvarez converted Jack Grealish’s cross to complete a flowing move.

City completed the comeback in emphatic style with a commanding second-half performance – goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Grealish wrapping up a memorable day at the Etihad Stadium and leaving Guardiola to revel in his side’s performance.

“From minute one to minute 93, it was a perfect performance,” Guardiola told BT Sport.

“Even when we conceded the goal we were playing really well. Of course, there is always a threat they have especially on the transition, but we played really good – one of the best performances in my seven years.

“Even after the goal, we continued with our idea that we had because players know that we weren’t playing badly. We stayed in control and continued to keep playing and had a little word at half-time about our process.

“Of course and we were lucky to score the second goal but the game was always stable through 93 minutes.”

City’s win was headlined by a superb display by Grealish, who scored one and set up another.

100 – Man City gained their 100th Premier League home win under Pep Guardiola, in their 128th such match at the Etihad Stadium (D16 L12). It’s the fastest a manager has reached 100 home wins in the competition, beating Arsène Wenger’s previous record of 139 games. Century. pic.twitter.com/JeTKU58qIc

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 1, 2023

“This season is the Jack we knew could help us,” Guardiola said of Grealish.

“He tracked back at 1-0 to help us when Salah had the chance to lay off but with the ball, he and Riyad [Mahrez] were exceptional. I can’t name one better than the other – they were all exceptional.”

An injury to Haaland meant City’s top goalscorer was forced to watch from the stands with Alvarez deputising superbly in his absence.

“Not just the goal but the play with the second and the third. With the ball, he is so clever and an exceptional player,” Guardiola said.

“I think the club made an incredible signing for the price. He’s playing in the World Cup champions for Argentina alongside Messi for a reason because he has something.”