After numerous heated exchanges with Kevin De Bruyne following a pulsating 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, Pep Guardiola said he was satisfied with the Belgian’s emotional response to being substituted.

In the second half, when Liverpool crowded the City penalty area, De Bruyne was sacrificed to retake control. He appeared incensed as he resumed his place on the bench.

Kevin De Bruyne had an uncharacteristically quiet evening against Liverpool at Anfield

The Belgian midfielder was taken off in the second-half and fumed at boss Pep Guardiola

“I’m glad to see that,” Guardiola exclaimed. “It’s good if he’s upset,” I said. Now he’s content. I was aware that we were not keeping the ball. After (he exploded), we improved. However, listen to Kevin—what can I say for him? He is crucial and we need him.

The Liverpool team threw waves of chances at Manchester City in a 25-minute second-half stretch that ended the champions’ dominance of the game. The Catalan compared playing against Klopp’s squad at Anfield to ‘like a tsunami’.

Although the game might have gone either way, Guardiola was pleased with his team’s ability to handle Liverpool’s pressure in the second half after Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty kick cancelled out John Stones’ opening goal.

The City manager remarked, “We played with a huge personality and started really well even before the goal.” It was challenging after the first half because they had more passers and quality players like Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister, whereas we were more direct earlier.

“You don’t have time in that stadium in the second half.” We gave away the penalty, and eventually it seems like a tsunami for fifteen or twenty minutes! Oh my god, they have the ball and everything, and it’s coming for them all.

However, we were able to make more passes after Mateo (Kovacic, a second-half substitute), particularly when he entered the game. It’s difficult to press and counterpress them in this stadium because of their strength. However, we never gave up on trying to play.

We then had the ability to play and hold the ball with Mateo, John (Stones), and Rodri. Both of them and we had our chances. They are the best pressing team I have ever seen, but sometimes it is impossible to keep the ball.

With City one point behind and Liverpool trailing on goal differential, Arsenal has emerged as the new leader.

Guardiola stated, “Liverpool are our opponent for seven or eight years, always we are there,” in reference to the championship race. Give me more credit for what we accomplished against Jurgen’s club! One point separates the final thirty points. We’re present there.