Pep hails Bernardo influence in Liverpool win

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the impact and influence of captain Bernardo Silva in our comeback 2-1 win at Liverpool.

Match Report

Dramatic late turnaround earns vital Premier League win at Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring with a wicked second half free-kick but Bernardo levelled late in the contest before Erling Haaland won it from the spot as the clock ticked down to full-time.

Bernardo was named Player of the Match after the game and Guardiola was ebullient in his admiration and acclaim for the skipper.

“The first half was exceptional but many times we are not composed enough in the final third.

“We have to be a little bit calmer, to take the right decision in the box and take a coffee. As a defender and as a striker.

“With all the actions, always we arrive one metre before or later but never in the spot.

“We are young in many things. Second half we knew they would push a little bit harder.

“In the second half the ball came quick and it came back quicker.

“After that we allowed the crowd to be involved. After hats off for the goal from Szoboszlai - copy and paste from the Arsenal game.

“At the end we were guided by our incredible player, one of the best ever to play or train - our captain Bernardo.

“We follow him, I follow him too. He puts the team in front of himself. He does things through his own example.

“Everybody follows him, me the first.

“He scored the first one from the Erling assist, and made the assist for Matheus for the penalty.

“We won finally at Anfield. Always it’s so difficult. I’m happy with the result for the guys because we were there.

“From the beginning I said I know Liverpool always start strong and we have to start stronger.

“If we get the first punch, we have more chance to win the game.”

The result meant we clawed back Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to six points after being nine points behind at the start of the day.

Guardiola called on his players to continue showing bravery and stay in the fight between now and the end of the season.

“I don’t buy that the title race is over if City didn’t win today,” he continued.

“Because we won it’s fine but it’s the same team. The first half at Spurs we were magnificent and could have been 0-3 or 0-4 but at the end we draw.

“At Newcastle we were much better than Spurs.

“Today we didn’t do it but we were much, much better.

“I have the feeling if we do a little bit it will not be enough to compete against Arsenal but still it is a small margin.

“We have them at home although of course we have to beat them.

“13 games in the Premier League from my experience is a lot of time.

“When you go to the last games playing a team in a relegation battle it’s a proper football game.

“They live for survival and they give their lives and have long weeks to prepare.

“We come from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup and the Champions League. It makes a big influence.

“Liverpool was all week preparing that game. We played three days ago against Newcastle.

“Newcastle what happened? Played on Wednesday and travel, arriving at 2am, Saturday v Brentford and they have all week to prepare that game.

“That has an influence. All we can do is be brave. Be in the neck of Arsenal.  If they slip or make something, use it.”

The game could have ended 3-1 when Rayan Cherki thought he’d scored another in stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations among players, staff and fans.

With goalkeeper Alisson up the pitch, the French playmaker slotted home on the break.

But VAR intervened and the referee was forced to disallow the goal, instead awarding a free-kick to the Blues and sending off goalscorer Szoboszlai for a foul on Haaland in the build-up.

Guardiola said he felt common sense could have prevailed in that moment.

“Common sense no?” he added.

“We won the game now Dominik Szoboszlai cannot play.

“I know he pulled him but how many pulls and the referee says play on in this country, in this league.

“Give a goal, 3-1, Szoboszlai can play and we are happy.”