Grealish's impeccable minute
Just like Liverpool's opener, Manchester City were cut open again. A free kick was cleared, Mo Salah was sent clear in his own half, raced towards the area, and had a simple cross to Diogo Jota, unmarked in the box. Jack Grealish wasn't having any of it, though, having run back from box to box to cover the counter and brilliantly cut out the cross. He earned a standing ovation for his work, a high-five from Nathan Ake, and jogged back to position.
And from Ederson's recycling of the ball, Kevin De Bruyne found Riyad Mahrez, who jinked inside to feed Ilkay Gundogan. The German knew exactly where Grealish would be - seconds after his vital interception at the other end - and the winger rolled the ball to Julian Alvarez to equalise. From defensive help to clinical assist in no time, Grealish did exactly what Guardiola asks of his best players to truly show he's mastered the demands of his manager.
Thanks to Grealish, City went from staring at a 0-2 deficit against Liverpool to being level and in the ascendency. This was his 13th start in the last 15, excluding two FA Cup games against Championship opposition, and further emphasised his status as integral to City in 2023. His second half goal was a perfect reward for one of his best performances in a City shirt - and so was the lengthy hug from Pep Guardiola when he was substituted late on.
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Now, Grealish is scoring and assisting important goals in big games against quality opposition - and if Foden is out for three weeks, he has a chance to further cement his place.
City's mini-season starts with a win
Pep Guardiola says City must win every remaining game of the season to have a chance of winning the title, such is Arsenal's advantage and quality. Liverpool could have been a banana skin in that quest before it began, especially when the defence parted and Mo Salah fired in the opener.
But City responded by doing nothing differently, continuing to create chances, move the ball, and wait for an opening. More direct on the break, City were clinical and effective, playing with a point to prove. This fixture has previously been a title decider, but there was only one title contender on show.
As Guardiola asserts, City cannot do anything about Arsenal until they visit the Etihad. What they can do is keep reminding Arsenal that they will keep fighting until the end. Their response to falling behind against Liverpool shows they are ready to meet Guardiola's challenge until the end of the campaign. The mini-season Guardiola wants to create begins with a win.
Rodri reacts after high profile week
Last weekend, Rodri was facing accusations he tried to injure Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard on international duty, before angering the whole of Scotland by calling their tactics vs Spain 'rubbish' and too physical. Liverpool targeted him from the start, and were furious when he wasn't sent off in the first half. Minutes after being booked for stopping a break, he did the same, but escaped a second yellow, in place of a final warning.
It felt like Rodri could have been in the news for a third game running, but he was unnoticeable from that moment on. Not getting involved in any physical battles, simply keeping the ball moving and not putting a foot wrong. That is where he is at his best, and he deserves credit for adjusting his game after the yellow card to remain on the pitch and win the midfield battle for City.
Rodri earned a standing ovation when substituted late on - interestingly for Bernardo Silva in a like-for-like change - and had played another important role in a big win.
Right call made on Haaland
Pep Guardiola suggested that City could take a risk with Erling Haaland when discussing the striker's fitness on Friday. At this stage of the season, he said, you have to take risks, which underlined the importance of the Liverpool game. But was it really worth rushing Haaland back, risking his longer-term fitness, with key games in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup to come before the end of the month?
Guardiola said Haaland 'didn't feel proper' before the game, but his absence is 'not a big issue'. That suggests that City opted against taking a risk on their most important player. Not even against Liverpool did City take their chances, maybe reflecting their drop-off this term. Now, Haaland has another week to recover for the trip to Southampton, before the Champions League returns. That has to be his - and City's - aim for his recovery.
Fans respond to Guardiola rallying cry
Before kick-off, the Etihad felt a bit sleepy - as you would expect from a 12.30 game after the international break. As soon as Blue Moon played and the whistle was blown, the volume rose, and every Liverpool touch of the ball was greeted with a boo. In the programme, Guardiola told his fans City will need them in the final two months of the campaign.
He wrote: "Your noise, energy, passion… it means SO much to us and really does make a difference." Aside from a ten-minute period between Mo Salah's opener and Julian Alvarez's equaliser, the fans responded, raising the noise throughout and backing the team. Liverpool have not won at the Etihad now since 2018, and never in the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp.
By full time, they were Ole-ing City passes, doing the Poznan and taunting the remaining Liverpool fans who hadn't set off back down the East Lancs Road. They are enjoying life at the Etihad again and playing the role Guardiola has asked them to.
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