Pep Guardiola says movement in forward areas is central to the way his side play, particularly when we operate without a recognised centre-forward.

City have been without Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus for much of the season, meaning Guardiola has had to be creative with his team selections and tactics.

Indeed, for the weekend win over Liverpoolour first success at Anfield in 18 yearsGuardiola selected a front three of Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez.

It was a fluid frontline, with our midfield players ably supporting to ensure we consistently had numbers inside the Liverpool box in what was one of our finest attacking performances of the season to date.  

And Guardiola, who has presided over a period in which City have scored 656 goals in 267 matches, says movement in the final third is vitally important and believes he blessed with players who can produce that kind of flexibility.  

SUBSCRIBE TO THE OFFICIAL MAN CITY PODCAST

“When we don’t play with a typical centre-forward, the people have to move a little bit more,” he said.

“But we have to arrive in the box. Against Liverpool, four or five people were always in the box.

“But every game is different. I like to see players move in this position and I have players who can do it.”

Next Fixture

All fixtures

FA Cup

Swansea

GMT

Man City

Meanwhile, Pep says showing strength of character in moments of adversity will be key to any success we have come the end of the season.

City are on a 14-match winning run in all competitions and remain on course to win all four major trophies this term.

Our next assignment sees us play in-form Swansea in the FA Cup, before vital Premier League games against Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal.

And before the end of the month, our Champions League campaign resumes when we travel to Budapest to face Borussia Monchengladbach.

Pep feels reacting to difficult moments – just as Ilkay Gundogan did when he missed a penalty before bagging two goals at Anfield – will make the difference.

“The way Gundogan missed a penalty and then reacts shows how strong he is,” he said.

“We try and see as much games as possible and try to analyse what we do to beat them.

“It’s not secrets - it’s our job and life.”

CITY+ | SIGN UP TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

Available now on CITY+

Shaun Wright-Phillips: City’s Homegrown Hero explores how Wright-Phillips came to be idolised by the City fans, who also provide their own input into just why the Academy graduate was and remains so adored.

It’s a compelling and fascinating look into what helped cement Wright-Phillips as one of City’s most beloved sons.

CITY+ is our content subscription service, which is available on all our digital platforms - mancity.com, Man City app and Smart TV.

It provides access to a host of CityTV documentaries, as well as full match replays of our first team and women’s sides and selected EDS and Academy games.

Fans can sign up to a 30-day free trial, after which CITY+ is just £1.99GBP / month.

You can find out more and sign up, HERE.