The victory lifted City to second in the Premier League, four points behind leaders Arsenal, and silenced doubts that the Catalan coach's best days were behind him.

After a difficult start to the season that saw City lose two of their opening three league games, Guardiola's side have found their rhythm, winning 11 of their last 14 matches in all competitions. Against Liverpool, they were back to their clinical best.

Erling Haaland opened the scoring with his 15th goal of the season before Nico Gonzalez struck his first for the club. Jeremy Doku then capped a sparkling performance with a solo effort that lit up the damp Manchester afternoon. The Belgian winger's display was all the more impressive given that City were without the injured Rodri.

For Guardiola, the win was about more than just the result. It was his 716th victory as a manager and a reminder of why he remains one of football's greatest modern minds.

"I just want to say thank you to the players and backroom staff for giving me that present," Guardiola said after the match. "I'm proud to reach this milestone here in Manchester with City. Now we rest and come back with energy."

Reflecting on his journey since beginning his coaching career with Barcelona B in 2007, Guardiola credited those early days with shaping his managerial philosophy. "My period at Barcelona B is the foundation for many things," he said. "I realised I was able to do it and learned a lot from that first season. It has been special to reach 1000 games in front of my family, and to do it against Liverpool makes it even more meaningful."

Guardiola, who has won 12 league titles and three Champions Leagues across spells with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, believes his current side are showing signs of another title charge.

"The team that wins the Premier League is the one that grows every month," he explained. "I told the guys, 'Don't win because Arsenal didn't, do it for ourselves. Show the champions of England that we are still there.' Today, I think we proved it."

Despite Liverpool's defeat, Guardiola was quick to praise their young right-back Conor Bradley. "Doku had an outstanding game against one of the best full-backs in the Premier League," he said. "Bradley is so quick, I saw his game against Vinicius Junior in midweek."

City's victory reaffirms their intent to reclaim the Premier League crown, while Guardiola's milestone underlines a career built on relentless pursuit of excellence, from Barcelona's youth ranks to Manchester's blue half, and still counting.

Lebogang Manyama returns to Cape Town City in new coaching role