Pep Guardiola marked his 1,000th game as a manager in perfect fashion on Sunday as Manchester City dismantled defending champions Liverpool 3–0 at the Etihad Stadium. The victory — built on a dominant first-half display — moved City within four points of league leaders Arsenal and effectively ended Liverpool’s hopes of retaining their Premier League crown.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring after missing a penalty earlier in the match, before a deflected Nico González strike and a composed Jeremy Doku finish sealed the result. For Liverpool, it was a fifth defeat in six league games under Arne Slot — and their heaviest of the season.
But beyond the scoreline, Guardiola’s post-match comments revealed fascinating tactical details, especially how his side managed to completely shut down Mohamed Salah, who has long been City’s tormentor.
Guardiola thanks players after milestone match
Speaking after the game, Guardiola expressed his gratitude to his squad for delivering the perfect “gift” on his managerial milestone.
“Thank you to the players for this gift, against the most important opponents we have faced in my 10 years by far. To see players like Robertson and Salah in so many battles — hopefully there will be more.” — Pep Guardiola
The City boss praised the team’s first-half performance, describing it as “really, really good offensively and defensively.” He admitted the second half lacked intensity but emphasised the importance of “winning duels” and maintaining composure.
“It had the feeling we were back in many ways,” Guardiola added. “I didn’t like the second half, really not like the first half. But it was an important win — we are second in the table.”
How Man City stopped Salah — Guardiola’s tactical reveal
Guardiola shed light on the game plan designed to neutralise Salah, acknowledging the Egyptian’s reputation as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards. His instructions to young left-back Nico O’Reilly were simple: be aggressive and never isolate one-on-one.
“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.” — Pep Guardiola
The result was one of Salah’s quietest performances in years. He managed few touches in dangerous areas and failed to register a single shot on target. Guardiola’s setup relied on O’Reilly’s intensity, supported by Doku and Rodri pressing in tight triangles to prevent Salah from turning into space.
Pep Lijnders’ influence already showing
Guardiola also paid tribute to his new assistant, Pep Lijnders — formerly Jurgen Klopp’s long-time No.2 at Liverpool — crediting his insight into the Reds’ attacking patterns.
“Conor [Bradley] the right-back, I was really, really impressed with,” said Guardiola. “Pep Lijnders said he could do everything. I know the game against Madrid, how good he was against Vinicius.”
Lijnders’ presence on City’s coaching staff has been viewed as one of the most intriguing subplots of the season, bringing inside knowledge of Liverpool’s setup and player tendencies. Guardiola’s comments hinted that Lijnders’ input played a key role in preparing the defensive strategy that kept Salah and Slot’s side at bay.
Key performers: Doku, González, and O’Reilly shine
While Haaland grabbed headlines for his opener, Guardiola highlighted Jeremy Doku and Nico González for their tireless work on and off the ball. Doku’s pace on the counter consistently unsettled Liverpool, while González’s pressing and goal capped a man-of-the-match performance in midfield.
Nico O’Reilly, meanwhile, handled Salah with maturity beyond his years. Guardiola praised the 20-year-old’s composure and defensive reading, suggesting he could be a long-term solution at left-back.
Match stats summary – Man City 3–0 Liverpool
| Stat | Man City | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 49% | 51% |
| Shots (on target) | 14 (6) | 7 (1) |
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Duels won | 61% | 39% |
source: Sofascore data – 9 November 2025
Analyst Verdict: Guardiola and Lijnders partnership pays off
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Guardiola’s tactical plan against Salah showcased the growing influence of Lijnders on City’s evolving system. “Lijnders knows Liverpool’s high-tempo pressing and how to disrupt it,” he said. “City pressed Salah in zones rather than man-marking him — a clear tweak inspired by Lijnders’ insight.”
He added: “This was vintage Guardiola in the first half — positional play at its finest — but it was also pragmatic. The mix of control and aggression showed City are finding balance again after a shaky start to the campaign.”
Key Insights
- Guardiola celebrated his 1,000th match as a manager with a 3–0 win.
- City’s plan to crowd Salah with multiple defenders proved decisive.
- Pep Lijnders’ input reportedly helped shape the tactical blueprint.
- Doku and González starred, while young Nico O’Reilly impressed at left-back.
- City move to within four points of league leaders Arsenal.
What’s Next for Manchester City?
Manchester City will face Newcastle United next in the Premier League. In the Champions League they will play against Leverkusen. With confidence restored and key players like Haaland back in rhythm, Guardiola’s men appear poised for another winter surge.
The addition of Pep Lijnders to the backroom team could prove to be a masterstroke — combining Guardiola’s tactical genius with inside knowledge of their fiercest rivals.
👉 Will Pep Lijnders become the secret weapon that helps Guardiola reclaim the Premier League title?
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