1,000 games in, Guardiola has new energy for new era

Sunday at the Etihad was painted sky blue in more ways than one. As Manchester City tore through Liverpool 3-0, Pep Guardiola marked his 1,000th career match in the dugout with a commanding win. his 716th triumph.

The City fans serenaded their manager with a chorus of “We’ve got Guardiola” to the tune of ‘Glad All Over’, a nod to the belief that he’s ready to write the next chapter of success. After a bruising previous campaign drained by injuries, Guardiola’s side now sits second in the table, four points behind Arsenal, showing signs of a revival underpinned by younger legs and a different rhythm.

“Teams win the Premier League when the team is growing every month,” Guardiola said post-match. “When that happens, you arrive at the end fighting for the title. We talk a lot and the feeling that we are in that way. It’s nice to still have the feeling that we are back in terms of many things. I have the feeling it [the energy] is back.”

A grin spread wide across the Spaniard’s face after the final whistle, as he strode onto the pitch with the aura of a manager who’s rediscovered his hunger. After a trophy-less season, he’s responded decisively. This display against Liverpool, whom Guardiola credits for pushing him to improve, was as emphatic a response as any.

While other sides are leaning on throw-ins and aerial battles, Guardiola remains committed to his hallmark style. Still, he has evolved. City’s revitalised system allows them to shift gears, still moving the ball patiently, but now able to play direct when needed. That was evident in the opener against Liverpool, as Matheus Nunes delivered a traditional cross for Erling Haaland, who now has 14 goals in 11 league matches.

According to stats provider TRACAB, City have covered more ground this season than any other Premier League team, 1,268.7 km in total, an improvement of 5.5 km per match compared to last season.

Guardiola warned others to expect the unexpected: “We are more unpredictable in the way we attack and defend, and that is good that the opponents don’t know what we are going to do.”

Former defender Nedum Onuoha commented on BBC Radio 5 Live: “The difference between Guardiola early on at City and now is vast. It’s almost like he’s a different manager in how he interacts with players and tweaks his approach.”

Michael Brown, once a City midfielder himself, added: “We saw them go direct under pressure in the Champions League, that wouldn’t have been the case before. Now they’re managing games at both ends.”

City have steadied after early-season defeats to Brighton, Spurs and most recently Aston Villa. Long-time contributors like Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Ederson have moved on, but fresh faces are stepping into key roles. One defeat in their last 14 matches is evidence enough that the consistency of past campaigns may be returning.

Haaland’s goal against Liverpool added to an already staggering season tally, 28 goals in 18 appearances for club and country.

Guardiola recently challenged his wider squad to pick up the scoring slack, and the likes of Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez answered in kind. Gonzalez, filling in for Rodri at the base of midfield, led the team in touches, while left-back Nico O’Reilly effectively subdued Mohamed Salah and won more tackles (five) than any other player.

“Nico O’Reilly was amazing,” Guardiola said. “In general, everyone was extraordinary because they are still the champions.”

He also praised Bernardo Silva, noting his resurgence: “He has been an incredible signing for us and in the way we played [against Liverpool] he is a master.”

Silva and Phil Foden each ran more than 12.5 km during the match, distances rarely exceeded by any player in the Premier League this season.

Dion Dublin summed it up on final whistle: “This is the City we remember, controlling matches from start to finish. Liverpool were outclassed and there’s no shame in that.”

Liverpool’s fifth defeat of the campaign leaves them eighth, with manager Arne Slot admitting, “Five defeats is too many,” and ruling out title hopes for now.

City, guided by a manager who seems to have found renewed sharpness, are pushing forward with no such restraint.