Today’s win at Anfield feels like a massive moment for this Manchester City team

Manchester City fought back from a goal down to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield today. Manchester City’s win sees them move to six points behind Arsenal who sit top of the Premier League table. More than that, today’s result, and City’s fight back at a venue that Pep Guardiola’s side typically struggles at, feels like a massive moment in the development of this new-look City side.

Manchester City didn’t lie down after falling behind at Anfield.

Dominik Szoboszlai gave Liverpool the lead in the 74th minute today at Anfield. The Hungarian international fired in an unstoppable strike from 30 yards out to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. At that moment, it seemed like Manchester City’s poor run of results at Anfield was going to continue. City had it all to do to turn the situation around after Liverpool took the lead. But they did exactly that, which speaks volumes about the character of this City team that is learning on the job.

Manchester City responded superbly to going a goal down. They seized the initiative back after Liverpool had been the dominant team after halftime. City regained control of the match and got their reward when Bernardo Silva turned home an Erling Haaland flick-on to make it 1-all. It got better for Pep Guardiola’s side when Liverpool keeper Alisson clattered Matheus Nunes to earn his team a penalty. Erling Haaland calmly dispatched his penalty to give City a 2-1 lead. Gianluigi Donnarumma made one of the saves of the season to deny a deflected Alexis Mac Allister strike in the 96th minute. Rayan Cherki should have made it 3-1 before the most absurd of VAR interventions occurred that goes against the spirit of the game. Despite all of this, City had turned around a game at Anfield, which Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering sides couldn’t do in the past.

At the final whistle, it did feel like a significant moment in the growth of this Manchester City team. Winning at Anfield, much like beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu earlier this season, feels significant. There is no telling what today’s fightback will do for this City team’s confidence.

This win has the potential to be a key moment in Pep Guardiola’s side’s growth.

The growth and development of this Manchester City side isn’t a linear process. There have been hiccups along the way this season. That was to be expected as this City team grows and matures together. What they showed today was that they can go to a hostile environment and turn a situation around. They did the same against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu earlier this season. Coming from behind to win at the Bernabeu and Anfield isn’t for the faint-hearted. It takes will, determination and character to pull off those results. The spirit is clear to see in this Manchester City side and it stood today at Anfield.

Today’s win keeps Manchester City within touching distance of Arsenal in the Premier League title race. More significant than that, it feels like a win that will greatly aid the growth of Pep Guardiola’s new-look side. There is no value that can be placed on that experience. To go a goal down at Anfield was a moment that this City side had to live. They lived through it, and pushed on to pick up a massive win and three points. Winning at Anfield feels like a big step in the journey that this Manchester City side is on.