Pep Guardiola praises Liverpool rival as ‘one of the best in the Premier League’
Guardiola’s words carried weight not just because of his own standing in world football, but because of the timing. Liverpool had just endured a difficult afternoon in Manchester, yet the City boss was eager to highlight the quality of a player from Jürgen Klopp’s squad — a rare gesture in such a fierce modern rivalry.
“[Doku] had an outstanding game against one of the best full-backs in the Premier League,” Guardiola said after the match. “He is so quick. I saw his game against Vinícius Júnior [against Real Madrid on Tuesday].”
Those comments referenced Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid earlier in the week, where Bradley had impressed many observers with his pace and defensive maturity against one of the world’s most dangerous wingers. Guardiola, known for his meticulous attention to detail, appeared to have taken notice.
“Sometimes you can tell when a player has something special — not just ability, but courage,” a source close to City’s coaching staff told Metro UK. “Bradley plays with a kind of confidence you don’t often see in defenders his age.”
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The Northern Irishman’s rise through Liverpool’s ranks has been rapid. After breaking into the first team last season, Bradley earned praise for his energy, composure, and tactical discipline — traits that Guardiola himself clearly values in his own players.
For a rival manager to call a Liverpool player “one of the best in the league” at such an early stage of his career speaks volumes about how Bradley is now being viewed across English football.
A nod to Liverpool’s resilience
Even in victory, Guardiola was respectful toward Liverpool, describing them as “still the champions” — a nod to their lasting competitiveness under Klopp. That context made his praise for Bradley even more striking, given the intensity of recent title battles between the two clubs.
Bradley, who has also impressed for Northern Ireland on the international stage, has been tipped as a future mainstay in Liverpool’s defense. Guardiola’s public acknowledgment may serve as both a compliment and a challenge — proof that the young defender’s performances are being noticed at the very top level.
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Praise for City’s own young stars
Guardiola didn’t forget to recognize talent closer to home, singling out 19-year-old midfielder Nico O’Reilly for his display.
“Nico O’Reilly was amazing,” Guardiola said. “In general, everyone was extraordinary because they [Liverpool] are still the champions. Sometimes we put a full-back inside, sometimes he has been 10 or eight.”
The City boss lauded O’Reilly’s intelligence and versatility, highlighting how his positioning and awareness give City added depth in midfield. “He is clever – he plays really good,” Guardiola added.
City’s title chase continues
The victory lifted City to second in the Premier League, four points behind leaders Arsenal, as they pursue what would be a sixth title in eight years. With performances like Sunday’s, and contributions from emerging players such as O’Reilly, Guardiola’s team looks well-equipped for the long winter run.
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For Liverpool, the result was a setback — but Guardiola’s words about Bradley offered a silver lining. Coming from one of the greatest managers in modern football, his praise was as meaningful as any trophy lift: a reminder that, even in defeat, true quality never goes unnoticed.
Sources: Metro UK, Premier League post-match interviews, UEFA.com
