Pep Guardiola details tactical plan to stop Mohamed Salah after City’s 3-0 win over Liverpool

Nov 10, 2025 - 19:30

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Pep praises Niko Aurélie and the collective effort to contain Liverpool’s Egyptian superstar

Pep Guardiola details tactical plan to stop Mohamed Salah after City’s 3-0 win over Liverpool

Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City’s "collective brilliance" after his side’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday admitting that neutralising Mohamed Salah was at the heart of his tactical plan.

The Spanish manager celebrating his 1000th career match in management, explained that City’s success hinged on cutting off Salah’s space and denying the Egyptian forward his trademark bursts behind the defence.

"Mohamed Salah has been nightmare for us for years" Guardiola told reporters after the match at the Etihad Stadium. "He has punished us so many times with his speed. I told Nico O'Reilly: you have to be aggressive. Every time Salah got the ball, there had to be two or three player around him"

Pep Guardiola:

“Mohamed Salah has been a nightmare for us over the years.. He always punished us…He is an exceptional player…As soon as he gets the ball, we went into a three-man setup around him so he wouldn't get enough opportunities.” pic.twitter.com/M4GJNEsaCu— Salah Updates (@SalahUpdates) November 9, 2025

Guardiola revealed that the plan was not about man-marking but about collective pressure:

"Nico had help — Doku, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden were always nearby to stop Salah from getting one on one situations. It was amazing team battle"

"Our defensive performance was exceptional"

Pep Guardiola: “For me it’s so special to make the 1000th game in front of my family, and especially against Liverpool.

I have huge respect for that club. It has been incredible battles with [Andy] Robertson, Virgil [Van Dijk], with all these players… Mo [Salah]. Incredible,… pic.twitter.com/uJ6uexxQvm— City Report (@cityreport_) November 9, 2025