Pep Guardiola’s side returned to competitive action after a near six-week lay off for the World Cup as if we had never been away as goals from Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Ake edged out the League Cup holders.
Our reward from Thursday night’s gripping Etihad encounter is a quarter-final clash away to Southampton next month.
And with City now building up to our return to Premier League action away at Leeds next Wednesday, former City midfielder Brown, a special guest on our Matchday Live show, said the manner of the Liverpool victory sent out the strongest possible message to our rivals.
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“I think psychologically it was so important,” Brown declared.
“For all the Premier League, for Liverpool, to say we’ve come back, and we fancy our chances.
“There were some really good things.
“It was an exciting match and let’s give Liverpool credit for making a real game of it.
“I’ve enjoyed that match as much as any other here for a long time as it had bit of everything.
“It had a bit of spice, some great goals, fantastic balls, youngsters doing so well. It was a top game of football.”
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Brown’s excitement was shared by City’s Elite Development Squad manager Brian Barry-Murphy who was a fellow special guest on Thursday’s Matchday Live show.
Barry-Murphy also pointed to the strength in depth of City’s squad which he believes only augurs well looking forward.
“I don’t imagine it’s easy to please the manager but there’s not much more you can ask from that performance,” Barry-Murphy added.
“The level of performance - both in terms of technique and physicality - was of the highest order and all the players came through exceptionally well.
“Kevin (De Bruyne) in the last few minutes of injury time was tracking back and looking as strong as ever and the signs are outstanding.
“And when you look at the strength of the bench, its ominous for the rest.”
Amongst the numerous highlights from a compelling night’s football was another fine display from young full-back Rico Lewis.
And for Barry-Murphy, the way Lewis dealt with the challenge from Jurgen Klopp’s side was the latest example of the teenager’s composure and confidence.
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“It was a big statement from Rico as he showed how confident he was,” Barry-Murphy added.
“He feels as if he can really compete with players like Joao (Cancelo) and Kyle (Walker) in that position as exceptional as they are.
“I thought in the second half Liverpool targeted his side of the pitch with a lot of diagonal passes, but I thought he dealt with it really well which is testament to him.
“From a very early age... eight, nine and ten, he’s always been a high achiever with great technical ability and that combination (when he went into midfield) with Rodri was so easy on the eye.”
