‘So difficult’: Pep Guardiola admits that even Manchester City’s stars can struggle to deal with one Liverpool player

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Liverpool recorded an incredibly important victory yesterday against title-chasing Manchester City.

In an action-packed match full of drama, a moment of brilliance from Mohamed Salah proved the difference.

Speaking after the match to Manchester City’s official website, Pep Guardiola reflected on the game.

He lamented the mistakes that lead to Liverpool’s goal but admitted he was in awe of Salah.

Guardiola said that Salah is ‘always so difficult’ to play against, and once again Man City’s players couldn’t stop him.

Salah hasn’t reached the incredible levels Liverpool fans now expect of him this season.

However, his goal yesterday showed just how good he can be on his day.

Not only did he brilliantly control Alisson’s long ball, he did it under pressure from Joao Cancelo, and pirouetted around the defender to go through on goal.

He had already been denied by a fantastic Ederson save in a similar situation, but made no mistake the second time around.

Salah is so difficult to play against – Guardiola

Guardiola will be hoping his Man City side can deal with Salah better when the teams meet towards the end of the season in April.

After the match yesterday, he said: “Alisson plays it out quick, Kevin (De Bruyne) didn’t follow, and Joao (Cancelo) lost the duel – it is always so difficult against Salah with the way he uses his body.”

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said that Salah was ‘absolutely brilliant’ yesterday, and without Ederson’s brilliant intervention he would have come away with a brace.

His hat-trick in the Champions League midweek against Rangers would have given him an important boost in confidence.

Paul Merson backed him to step up his performance after his impressive midweek performance, and he certainly delivered.

Jurgen Klopp has to decide on how best to set up going forward.

His decision to switch from three midfielders to two didn’t really suit Salah, and they subsequently lost against table-topping Arsenal as a result.

The resurgence in the form of Roberto Firmino will help get the best out of Salah going forward.

It’s unlikely that Guardiola will be the last manager this season to say that Salah is difficult to play against.

Klopp will be delighted that his attacking talisman appears to be back to his best after a slow start to the season.