Sunday’s big Premier League clash at Anfield between heavyweights Liverpool and Manchester City produced a great spectacle, eventually finishing 2-2 after a pulsating second half.
The likes of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Citizens midfielder Phil Foden have received praise for their displays and rightly so.
Catch him if you can! 🇵🇹🔥⚽️ @Sure 🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/xdBadBto6R— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 4, 2021
Catch him if you can! 🇵🇹🔥⚽️ @Sure 🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/xdBadBto6R
However, Portuguese midfield maestro Bernardo Silva also deserves praises for his display. His performances at times brought back memories of his namesake David Silva in his prime.
The diminutive midfielder on a couple of occasions showed his incredible skill with the ball by keeping the ball in what looked like situations where he looked sure to lose it. He showed supreme technical ability and composure throughout the game, often keeping hold of the ball in an effort to help City create chances.
To have the composure he had at Anfield in such a big game illustrated why Silva is a vital member of Pep Guardiola’s team. It was almost as if the ball was stuck to the midfielder’s feet at times during the game.
His performance on Merseyside made a mockery of summer rumours that the midfielder wanted to leave the club to return to the continent.
It would be a major loss to City if the midfielder was to leave in the January transfer for instance/ That currently looks highly unlikely though.
Silva seems to be a player that Guardiola trusts, especially in the big games and he certainly repaid his faith against Liverpool.
With Manchester City seemingly lacking a true centre forward, Silva’s guile and ability to create could be vital to the Citizens bid for glory on all fronts this season.
If he continues to play as he did on Sunday, then he will once again be the vital player he had been in previous seasons.