Guardiola Explains Tactical Shift After Manchester City’s Comeback Win Over Liverpool

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reflected on his side’s performance following their dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday. The champions came from behind to secure all three points, with Erling Haaland converting a late penalty after Bernardo Silva cancelled out Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning opener.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the match, Guardiola admitted that momentum shifted during the game, particularly in the second half. He praised his players’ response, noting that the team became more direct and active after going behind.

“First half was really good and we lost a bit of momentum in the second half,” Guardiola said. “Anfield can feel like that. After that, we played more direct… led by our captain Bernardo, we come back.”

The Spaniard also acknowledged moments of fatigue and passivity within the team, highlighting areas he believes need improvement despite the positive result. The victory keeps City six points behind league leaders Arsenal as the title race intensifies with 13 fixtures left.

Opinion:
Guardiola’s honest assessment shows a manager who understands that even big wins come with lessons. City’s ability to adapt tactically — switching to a more direct approach when control slipped — reflects the experience of a squad that knows how to survive difficult away fixtures.

Yet, the comments about fatigue and passivity suggest that the title race may test City’s depth and consistency in the weeks ahead. While the comeback at Anfield proves their resilience, maintaining that intensity across the remaining games could be the true deciding factor between chasing the title and watching Arsenal run away with it.