In his post-match interview with Sky Sports (following the dramatic comeback win sealed by Bernardo Silva’s equalizer and Erling Haaland’s late penalty), Guardiola opened up about a tactical masterstroke from Arne Slot that caught even his eye. The Catalan boss admitted that midway through the first half, he turned to his assistant and whispered in admiration: “I was telling my assistant that I LOVE what Arne Slot did there…”
The specific moment Guardiola highlighted? Slot’s bold decision to shift Dominik Szoboszlai into an unconventional hybrid role—starting as a central midfielder but fluidly inverting into a right-back position during build-up phases, allowing Liverpool to overload City’s left flank while maintaining defensive solidity. This tactical tweak, which Slot had been experimenting with in recent weeks, enabled Szoboszlai to drift wide, create numerical superiority, and ultimately tee up his own stunning long-range free-kick opener in the 74th minute (a “copy paste” of his strike against Arsenal, as Guardiola himself noted).
Guardiola, a tactical innovator renowned for his positional play and inverted full-backs, described the adjustment as something “I have never seen before in all my years of coaching—at this level, with that execution and confidence.” He praised Slot’s courage to adapt mid-game against a possession-dominant side like City, noting how it disrupted his team’s usual pressing patterns and forced adjustments. “It’s clever, it’s brave, and it shows real belief in the idea,” Guardiola added. “Arne is building something special—he’s not just copying, he’s evolving.”
The revelation has electrified the Liverpool fanbase online. Supporters who have been buzzing about Slot’s fresh approach since his arrival are now flooding social media with clips of the tactical shift, memes celebrating the “Pep approval,” and declarations that their new manager is already earning respect from the greatest in the game. “Pep Guardiola praising Slot mid-game? That’s the ultimate stamp of approval! 🔴” one viral post read, garnering thousands of likes and retweets. Others pointed out the irony: even in defeat, Slot’s ingenuity shone through, turning what could have been a routine City win into a chaotic, memorable contest.
This comes amid a whirlwind of post-match drama—the Szoboszlai red card controversy, Alisson’s positioning errors, and internal frustrations at the club—but Guardiola’s comment has provided a much-needed positive spotlight on Slot’s methods. Fans argue it validates the Dutchman’s philosophy of attractive, adaptable football, even if results haven’t always followed in recent weeks. Slot himself, in his press conference, remained humble, crediting his staff and players for the execution while acknowledging City’s quality in turning the game around.
The endorsement from Guardiola carries massive weight. The City boss rarely dishes out such specific, on-the-spot praise for opponents’ tactics, especially against a direct title rival. It underscores how Slot has quickly established himself as a thoughtful innovator in the Premier League, blending possession principles with high-intensity pressing in ways that even Pep finds noteworthy.
As Liverpool regroup from the defeat—now trailing leaders Arsenal more closely after City’s resurgence—the tactical nod from Guardiola serves as motivation. It reminds everyone that Slot’s project is gaining recognition at the highest level, and moments like this could prove pivotal in building momentum for the run-in.
The title race remains fiercely competitive, but one thing is clear: when Pep Guardiola turns to his bench to rave about your tactics, the football world—and especially Anfield—is listening.
