The looming clash between Manchester City and Liverpool, a fixture that has defined recent Premier League seasons, continues to hold a unique psychological weight for City manager Pep Guardiola. Even as recently as 2022, Guardiola admitted to being genuinely fearful of the attacking prowess of Liverpool’s then-front three: Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mané.
The revelation, captured by Amazon for their “All or Nothing” documentary series, offers a rare glimpse into the tactical thinking of one of the world’s most celebrated managers. Coming off a win against Everton, Guardiola immediately turned his attention to the upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool. His concern wasn’t simply about Liverpool’s quality, but the specific, coordinated threat posed by their attacking trio.
“The forwards of Liverpool are good,” Guardiola initially stated, a seemingly understated assessment. However, his assistant, Carles Planchart, prompted further explanation, noting the simplicity of the threat: “Yes Pep, but only it’s just them.” This led Guardiola to articulate his anxieties. “They scare me,” he confessed. “They’re dangerous, I mean it. I have a feeling that Salah will play [as a] striker. Salah will play as number nine and Firmino will move towards the wing. He comes here and Salah goes forward. Our wing-back can’t cover their wing-backs.”
Guardiola’s analysis highlighted a key tactical vulnerability: the ability of Salah and Firmino to interchange positions, stretching City’s defense and creating mismatches for their wing-backs. He foresaw a scenario where Salah would operate centrally, drawing defenders, while Firmino drifted wide, exploiting space and forcing City’s full-backs into difficult decisions. This dynamic, he believed, would be particularly challenging to contain.
Another of Guardiola’s assistants, Domenec Torrent, offered a contrasting perspective, referencing a previous encounter at Anfield where Liverpool had demonstrably outperformed City. “I watched our game yesterday when we went there [to Anfield] and lost. They played on another level. If you want to beat them you have to work to do it. If we are at our best, we are better than Liverpool.” This internal debate within Guardiola’s coaching staff underscores the respect, and perhaps apprehension, City held for their rivals.
The fears expressed by Guardiola were, unfortunately for City, realized in the first leg at Anfield, where they suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat. Goals from Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Mané sealed the victory for Liverpool, demonstrating the potency of the attacking unit Guardiola had identified as a major threat.
While the composition of Liverpool’s attack has evolved since then – Mané departed for Bayern Munich in 2022 – the underlying principles of their forward play remain. Mohamed Salah continues to be a central figure, and the roles of inside forwards, occupying the space between full-backs and centre-backs, are still a key feature of their attacking strategy, as noted in recent analysis of their tactical approach.
The upcoming match, , represents a continuation of a rivalry that has consistently delivered high drama and tactical intrigue. While Guardiola’s initial anxieties centered on a specific trio, his broader concern remains: how to neutralize Liverpool’s dynamic and unpredictable attack. The ability to disrupt their forward movement and prevent the creation of those dangerous interchanges will be crucial for City’s success.
Recent reports suggest Guardiola is hesitant to confirm the participation of his key forward players, indicating the importance he places on tactical flexibility and potentially attempting to disrupt Liverpool’s defensive preparations. This caution underscores the enduring respect – and perhaps lingering apprehension – Guardiola holds for Liverpool, even as the teams and players evolve.
The tactical battle at Anfield will likely focus on controlling the space between the lines and denying Liverpool’s forwards the opportunity to exploit those pockets of space. City’s success will hinge on their ability to maintain defensive discipline, win individual duels, and effectively counter Liverpool’s pressing game. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for the Premier League title race, making it a fixture that demands the utmost attention and strategic planning from both managers.
