Pep Guardiola claimed on Friday that he was not enjoying the challenge of finding a solution to the worst run of his managerial career. His frustrated touchline demeanour at Anfield certainly suggested a manager who was getting more and more agitated by what he was seeing.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reacted after hearing “sacked in the morning” chants from Liverpool fans during his side's 2-0 defeat in the Premier L

With six fingers raised to a delirious Anfield crowd, Pep Guardiola offered defiance and belief. He would not be laughed out of town. Write off a man with half a dozen Premier League medals at your peril. If only his charges had shown such qualities. Their title challenge might no longer seem like a pipe dream.