Guardiola hails ‘huge’ win as Klopp scrambles for answers after loss

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City’s stunning 4-1 win at Liverpool was a ‘huge’ moment for the Premier League leaders as they put a massive dent in the champions’ bid to retain the title.

Guardiola’s side are 10 points clear of fourth-placed Liverpool after winning at Anfield for the first time since 2003.

City demolished Liverpool thanks to a brace from Ilkay Gundogan, after he missed a first half penalty, and strikes from Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.

Mohamed Salah scored Liverpool’s equaliser after Gundogan’s second half opener, but the troubled Reds were no match for slick City.

“Huge victory for us. Three more points at the end but I take into consideration the fact we won after we missed a penalty and conceded a goal. The way we reacted, that made the difference,” Guardiola said.

We played in the way you have to suffer here. We started really well. We cannot play like they play, we have to play in a slow rhythm.

“Second half we adjusted our set up and the quality of the players did the rest.

“For many years we were not able to win here, hopefully next time we can do it with people inside. Anfield is so intimidating.”

Liverpool’s season unravels: Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, now a Sky Sports pundit, gave a withering assessment of Liverpool’s efforts to retain their title.

“They are making a lot of excuses,” said Keane. To me they’ve been bad champions and I don’t just mean today.”

A stubborn Klopp defended his side’s performance up until Alisson’s first error allowed Gundogan to restore City’s lead 17 minutes from time, with his second of the match.

“We scored our goal and in that moment it was possible the game goes in our direction, but Alisson made two massive mistakes,” said Klopp.

“Apart from that the game ends 1-1. The performance was good enough at least to draw, and that’s it.”

Guardiola admitted beating Liverpool carried extra significance, but he refused to get carried away about their title charge.

“It’s an important win but it is February. Of course the gap to fifth is big right now and that means for the Champions League for next season is important but 10 (league) wins in a row in this period is something exceptional,” he said.

Agence France-Presse