Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised his players for revitalizing the title race after inflicting Premier League leaders Liverpool’s first defeat of the season.
Sergio Aguero, with his seventh goal in as many home league matches against the Reds, and Leroy Sane scored either side of Roberto Firmino’s second-half equaliser to reduce the distance between the two sides to four points.
Had City lost, a 10-point disadvantage would have looked insurmountable even for the defending champions and Guardiola believes they have now breathed new life into their chase.
‘We reduced the gap. Still four points is enough points to be calm but it is a good moment to congratulate and say thank you to these incredible players.
‘They showed how good they are playing against an incredible team.
‘It was a final for us because lose and it was almost over. Now is tight again.’
“I respect what Tottenham are doing, in the last games Manchester United are coming back, and of course Chelsea and Arsenal with new managers.
“Jurgen Klopp will not agree but for the Premier League it is a good result.”
Guardiola reserved special praise for midfielder Bernardo Silva, who created the opener for Aguero and covered more distance – 12.93km – than any other player on the pitch. City say that no player has ran further in a Premier League game this season.
“He did everything,” Guardiola said. “He is the smallest one but he shows us that to play football, you don’t have to be tall or more physical.
“He is incredible. I haven’t seen a performance like that in a while. It was clean and clever. Against Virgil van Dijk, he was comfortable.
“The game was a real game for both sides. We beat an incredible team. We were outstanding from the first minute.
