Pep Guardiola Admits Tactical Misstep in Manchester City's Defeat to Liverpool

In a rare moment of self-reflection, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that his tactical approach against Liverpool "did not work out" after his side suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad on Sunday.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai in the first half secured a massive win for Arne Slot’s team, further strengthening their position at the top of the Premier League table.

Despite the loss, Guardiola remained upbeat about his team’s performance, emphasizing that City controlled possession and created chances but lacked the final touch to break down Liverpool’s resilient defense.

“We played very well. Maybe we lacked more productivity in our shots, but we played against a fantastic team.

Maybe at the start, it was 50-50, and we could not convert. In the second half, they defended very deep. We tried something we have not done for many games—bringing them into their box and trying to beat them there.

The tactic was to reach the final third and the byline, and it happened a lot, but we did not score. We missed the final touch a little, and with crosses, it is almost impossible to do it because of their size. We could not find the next step,” Guardiola explained.

City’s Tactical Dilemma: What Went Wrong?

Guardiola is known for his tactical genius, but this time, his plan backfired. Liverpool’s deep defensive setup, combined with their aerial strength, nullified City's usual intricate passing and wide attacks. While City saw plenty of the ball, their lack of clinical finishing and overreliance on crossing played into Liverpool’s hands.

It’s rare to see Guardiola openly admit that a tactical approach failed, but this defeat could serve as a learning curve for City as they look to keep pace in the title race. With Arsenal and Liverpool now leading the charge, the reigning champions cannot afford further slip-ups.

What’s Next for Manchester City?

With crucial fixtures coming up, Guardiola will need to adjust his tactics and ensure his side finds a way to break down deep defensive blocks, something they struggled with against Liverpool.

The big question now is—can City bounce back and regain control of the title race, or has this loss given Liverpool a crucial advantage? Let’s hear your thoughts! ⚽🔥