Pep Guardiola was irritable after Manchester City's defeat at Anfield this season.
The best in the business do not generally react well to losing, which is why they are the best in the business, but then again usually if his team have played well the Catalan is happy. Back in October, he was anything but.
The main source of ire was a disallowed goal at 0-0 for Phil Foden, saying repeatedly in numerous post-match interviews 'This is Anfield' as if City couldn't expect any decisions there. He also bristled at the idea that his team didn't create the chances to win the game, despite being comprehensively second-best in terms of expected goals as well as actual goals.
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Coming after the 4-1 demolition in February 2021 and the thrilling 2-2 draw last season that saw far more obvious refereeing errors go against them, this time it did not feel like City were hard done to lose a narrow game 1-0. Because of that, leaning on the idea that they had in the immediate aftermath did not sit right with what everyone else had just seen.
Far more went against the Blues in the build-up to last week's game. If you could make a list of players you wouldn't want to return from international duty injured, the in-form Foden and Erling Haaland would have been right at the top.
Not only did City have to cope with that in their preparations but they also had to drag themselves back into position after seeing another good start undone by a simple Mohamed Salah goal; at 0-1 on Saturday, City had every reason to think it was going to be another one of those frustrating days against Liverpool.
That it wasn't shows so much about the better place that Guardiola's side find themselves in now. Where six months ago they were making big deals out of the more minor calls, now City are responding to much bigger setbacks with style and ease.
This is the team that is recognisable from Guardiola's previous successes where they have broken records in English football on their way to four Premier League titles, and an important marker for the months ahead. It is also why players and the manager are talking more excitedly about the feel around the club.
City have to expect many issues will come up between now and the end of the season if they are to stay competitive in every trophy they are chasing. If they can maintain this attitude and aptitude in dealing with them rather than the difficulties they had earlier in the campaign, they should be well in the picture for more honours.
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