The England winger was outstanding against Jurgen Klopp’s men, scoring one goal and making another as well as being a thorn in the visitors’ side all afternoon.
“All this season he has been playing really well,” said Pep.
“Now it’s the Jack we thought. Aston Villa fans know this Jack.
“Nothing changed it’s just a question of believing ‘I am part of that, and I can be here.’
“Now he has more minutes. The way he behaved in the beginning when he was not playing was exceptional.
“We are so satisfied for his performance. Today was amazing, he was really good.
“I like the standing ovation from our fans. He really deserved it. Not just that, all season he has been playing well.”
Asked how Grealish’s all-round display could be gauged, Guardiola said: “He can be judged for the block on Salah when it could be 2-0 (to Liverpool).
“Football is more than stats, it’s many things. The way he gives us the tempo to play and to make extra passes.
“I could not imagine with the big name he is and the price the club paid to have this humility to run like a teenager.
“That means a lot to me and the team. At the same time, he has to score more goals at home. Definitely.”
And among a number of outstanding displays was that of John Stones, who again showed his versatility drifting in from right-back into central midfield as well as defending superbly as and when needed.
On Stones’ performance, Guardiola said: “It’s not easy for him. I thought when I arrived that he has the quality to play there.
“It is different when you see all the game in front of you.
“In that position he is surrounded from Henderson, Salah, Fabinho, Elliott, Gakpo.
“He is surrounded like a bubble. To play there is not really easy. You have to have a lot of personality.
“A lot may be difficult, but alongside Rodri and Nathan and Ruben, they helped us to understand the process.
“Our display was almost perfect from the first minute to 93 in the way we played against a team who was our biggest rival in the last few seasons.
“We always struggle to find a way to play in the quality they have, the way they press and against the transitions they have.
“All of them, start from Eddy, finish with Jack, were really good.”
