Pep Guardiola has found his tactical acumen repeatedly questioned during Manchester City’s current annus horribilis, but his game plan against Liverpool looked, at times, like a masterclass of old.
The only problem, as the City manager was quick to concede, was his team’s inability to convert chances into goals.
City wingers Savinho and, particularly, Jérémy Doku turned in strong performances despite the 2-0 defeat by the champions-in-waiting, particularly the latter, who targeted Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold whenever possible.
So dominant was Doku’s display that by the time the England defender actually succeeded in tackling him towards the end of the first half, the visiting supporters were compelled to cheer lustily – much to the derision of City fans.
But so complete was the rest of Liverpool’s performance, including the way in which they covered for Alexander-Arnold, that Arne Slot’s side were able to coast to a victory that leaves them on the brink of taking City’s title.
For Guardiola, though, there was the knowledge that his predominantly young line-up looks poised to form the basis of a strong future City squad and the fact that, contrary to some claims, the most successful manager of this era in European football still knows his way around a game plan.
“Both wingers were exceptional – Savinho and Jeremy and all the young players,” said Guardiola. “Except Kevin [De Bruyne] and Nathan [Aké], we were such a young team, that will be the future of this club.
“We behaved really good. it was a tight game. We just missed being more creative in the final third, knowing that it is not easy.
“Jérémy’s ability to attract one or two players and Savinho, they are free and, in that moment, we have to be free and finish the actions and we were not good enough in that.
“Jérémy had the ball and Alexander-Arnold and Ryan Gravenberch and Mo Salah go there and even [Dominik] Szoboszlai. It was away from the defensive structure and we had to be free and finish the action.
“We arrived so many times to the byline but, in the next attack, we struggled to create much. It’s not easy, when you have two or three players on Jérémy. Phil [Foden], Kevin, Omar [Marmoush] – you need the brilliance of players, one cross, one brilliance. We need the pass back from Nico [González] that can make a shot.”
The missing ingredient
The January transfer window, during which four big-money signings arrived at the Etihad, and Guardiola’s recent comments about sitting down to discuss the futures of many of his injury-prone squad, point to a major overhaul this summer, and in the windows to come.
De Bruyne, at 33, and Aké, 30, are among a number of senior players around that age profile whose fitness problems suggest they may not have much of a role, if any, to play in Guardiola’s new-look City.
But one player who, clearly, will form the cornerstone of that future vision is Erling Haaland, recent recipient of a record 10-year contract, who missed the Liverpool game with a knee injury.
It was too simplistic, claimed Guardiola, to say his absence was the difference between City not scoring and possibly converting some of their chances.
“I would say they defended really well, and it would be easy for me to say yes, but it would be unfair on the players who played because they were exceptional,” he said.
“I would like to know, but I don’t know when he will be back. Apparently he’s not injured because the scans dictate that he’s fine, but he didn’t feel fine.
“I have the feeling it will be soon because he trained yesterday and made some really good movements, but he said he was not ready and we have to respect that. Hopefully he can be back for Spurs [Wednesday].”
Haaland’s return would be welcome, given the intense competition for what are likely to be five Champions League places over the remainder of the season, with four points separating six teams, from City down to Brighton, currently in ninth.
“If it doesn’t happen, it’s because we were not good enough, not because a lack of hunger and desire,” said Guardiola.
“We saw it against Newcastle and we saw it again today. It is so tight with four or five teams and Nottingham, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and others, are so good. It will not be easy but we will try.
“If it happens, it’s because we deserve it. If it doesn’t, it’s because we were not good enough.”
Ultimately, a place in the Champions League and, who knows, possible success in the FA Cup, in which City face Plymouth in Saturday’s last 16, may leave this campaign far from a complete disaster.
Slot, whom Guardiola says now has the league title to lose, thinks City will be a force again, as early as next season. “I would like that,” said the City manager. “I know what we have done as a team. It’s not enough but I recognise my team in the last two games in the Premier League – they were brilliant against both Newcastle and Liverpool.”
