The Liverpool boss has hailed the spirit and resolve of his side as they claimed a precious win over Manuel Pellegrini’s men, but is keen to refocus on Norwich next week
Brendan Rodgers has lavished his title-chasing Liverpool side with superlatives after an “outstanding” display saw the Reds secure a 3-2 win over Manchester City on an emotional day at Anfield.
After a spine-tingling rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ marked 25 years since the Hillsborough tragedy, the Merseysiders raced into an early through Raheem Sterling and held a commanding 2-0 advantage at half-time, though that was swiftly wiped out in the second period.
But, even though the scores were tied and with City in the ascendency, Liverpool rallied and dug in, with Philippe Coutinho curling in the eventual winner late on, and Rodgers was effusive in his praise of his players afterwards.
“It was a remarkable performance. I thought we were incredible today. The world watching that would have seen a team with so much spirit, so much quality and it was incredible,” he told Sky Sports.
“It showed you the character in the group. To come back, to get our composure again and score a brilliant goal. Three really valuable points for us.
“We were well on top first half, totally controlled the game, 2-0 up and could’ve been more. They’ve got top players and top players respond. They came out very quickly and got themselves back into the game. Sometimes that happens in football.
“We changed our shape again, going to 4-3-3 and obviously Phil [Coutinho] gets the goal coming in from the left side. It was a wonderful atmosphere, down on pitchside it was incredible.
“Between us all, supporters, players, staff, it was a great victory for us.”
Despite moving five points clear at the top of the table – at least until Chelsea have played – Rodgers refused to get carried away and will quickly refocus his players’ attention on the upcoming Norwich City match.
“I said at the beginning it was a significant game. It may end up being a significant one. But we’ve got Norwich next week, who played well against Fulham,” the Liverpool boss added.
“So for us it’s about enjoying this. Man City is a wonderful team and a wonderful squad. So we’ll enjoy the win, we’ll recover well.
“We’re not going to veer from what we’ve always done which is concentrate on the next opponent and that’s what we’ll continue to do. You can see the level and quality of our football, which was fantastic today, we’re clearly coping with it [the expectation of being in the title race].”