Though Willy Caballero was the City Matchday App man of the match, Stones’ performance is certainly worthy of note.
Understated and steady, the early passages of play could actually have seen one overhit pass result in a Liverpool goal as Saido Mane raced clear of Nicolas Otamendi, but it was the one blemish on an otherwise solid display by the young England defender.
His ability to bring the ball out of defence will have no doubt put one or two of Liverpool’s supporters in mind of a young Alan Hansen
Hansen had the ability to glide out of defence and make good ground into the opposition’s half before releasing the ball and Stones did exactly that on a number of occasions.
Of course, he would be the first to admit there are areas of his game he will want to tighten up, but a 22, he has plenty of time. The Liverpool appearance was only his 100th in the Premier League, it’s worth noting.
Stones’ second-half display was, perhaps, one of his best yet in a City shirt.
Just after the break, a low cross to Mane caught much of the Blues’ defence flat-footed, but Stones managed to readjust and stick out a leg that deflected Mane’s shot away from goal.
He might have had a goal, too, arriving to nod a corner wide after arriving a fraction late, before making another superb tackle on Mane as he broke through the middle late in the game.
With 77 touches and a 94% pass accuracy, no wonder Stones received such warm praise from his manager after the game.
And as Pep says, he will only get better...
