Borges’ brace took his league tally for the season to 14 and 22 in total across all competitions.
The Portuguese winger struck two superb strikes in either half to make it four wins out of five for City’s Under 21s since the turn of the year.
But for Barry-Murphy, it was the 19-year old’s willingness to dig in and help out at the back that epitomised what his young side are all about.
CITY+ | SIGN UP TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
“He’s improving that side of his game (finishing) all the time and for me his performance today was full of leadership qualities with how he played for the team and helped protect Tom Galvez at the back when he needed helping,” Barry Murphy pointed out.
“Liverpool have a unique way of playing with the way they look to penetrate your defensive line over and over again so there was a lot of defensive work for Carlos to do.
“So, for me it’s really beneficial to show him the benefits of working so hard for the team and then getting the opportunities and taking them.
“We’ve a lot of respect for the opponents as we know how good they are
“In the first game of the season (when we won 3–0 at Liverpool), the scoreline was flattering to us
“Today you could see the qualities they have but we understood them and then in the second half when the game was up for grabs, we showed our quality.”
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MAN CITY APP
The EDS boss also pointed to the hunger and desire to improve day in, day out as being the key fundamental principles driving the squad.
And he said the drive to get better each and every day only helped foster professional pride and satisfaction throughout the squad.
“Speaking to the players about when they are successful and getting games they really enjoy there can be real clues and learning in terms of how that is achieved or it can lead to complacency,” Barry-Murphy added.
“And the challenge for us as a dressing room and staff is to make sure there is no complacency every single day and if there is to stamp it out straight away.
“Our first team manager had spoken about putting all the ingredients together and working so hard to try and achieve things at the weekend and end of the season.
“And that is the best bit… without that drive to improve every day there wouldn’t be any joy in it.
“Our players have real quality and can win any random game but unless you go into it with a real planning and dedication it doesn’t have the same sense of fulfilment.”
