The 4-0 victory of Man City at Wolves showed that they are ready for a Premier League title chase -but as they did that Jamie Carragher was wondering whether the new approach to Pep Guardiola was influenced by Liverpool.
After City had set off their usual standards in the previous term, Guardiola Pep Libnders brought in as assistant coach, the former deputy of Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool.
With City who plays an offside trap in Molineux and scored on the counterattack, Carragher believes that Lijnders “has a major influence on Guardiola”, and notes the similarities with De Stijlers and Klopp who preferred during their time on Anfield.
A high line
Defensively, Man City repeatedly pushed up to try to catch Wolves offside – and did exactly when Marshall Munetsi entered the first half. That plan was even executed close to half the line, with the backline of the city straight up when Wolves tried to play the ball forward.
“I couldn't believe what I saw, the players all jumped high to try to catch the Wolves players offside,” said Carragher told Monday Night Football.
“This is very Liverpool-like. It made me think how much influence perhaps the new coach has in this team.”
Whether it was inspired by Liverpool or not, colleague Sky Sports Pundit Gary Neville welcomed the performance of Man City's defense to keep such a disciplined line.
“It's really good play,” he added. “To get a Sun-Vier unit to that time, something is needed. It is really good play of [centre-back] John Stones. “
Fast counterattacks
Carragher also noticed similarities between the performance of the city with the threat of Liverpool during the break under Klopp.
The goal of Tijjani Reijnders came from a quick movement on the field, where Guardiola made a point to celebrate with Libnders in the aftermath.
“The amount of counter-falling goals with which the Liverpool team would score [Sadio] Moons and [Mohamed] Salah, ahead, “said Carragher.” When I looked at the goal of Reijnders … not perhaps a Pep Guardiola goal.
“Of course the teams of Pep Guardiola scored many counter -falling goals in the past. But what really stood out was the kind of goal it was. They win it and then they are eliminated.
“Lijnders – Guardiola gives him the thanks, the hug. Now we don't know exactly what that is for, but I don't think it's a coincidence with some things I saw in the game that as a coach he has a big influence on Pep Guardiola.”
Afterwards Guardiola himself said that City tried to be better with attacking breaks than last season.
“It is a weapon that we want to use this season – if we get the ball, you will attack faster than maybe before.”
Adjust PEP
Whether it is a Liverpool inspiration from Laynders or not, it seems that Clear Guardiola has again presented his city side of his husband.
Carragher says that the serial winner has recognized the style shift in the Premier League, away from controlled patient building in a more dynamic approach – and has responded.
“What Pep said last season, when he talked about where the game was going, he actually said,” It's not really my football, “the football that was seen of teams in the Premier League. Transition, end-to-end football.
“I think he mentioned Brentford, he was talking about Bournemouth, he was not just talking about the real top teams. How many teams played in the Premier League like that.”
City has shown that they can also play success in this way. After they have learned from their rivals, they look like they will again be serious contenders for the Premier League crown. That is a display shared by Neville.
“Looking at that game on Saturday, it was a bit:” Oh, have we just forgotten the obvious? ” Pep Guardiola, if he loses a title, he will reclaim it, “said Neville.
“He wins titles almost every year he coached in his career, and when you saw Reijners on Saturday, you think of Rodri to come back, you think of stones and [Ruben] Dias, [Erling] Haaland in front … That is one and a half back, that is a title-winning spine, it is a Treble-winning spine with a manager who is productive.
“City, just out of what we saw on Saturday, if they keep their players fit, they can really be in business.”