His demeanour on the touchline had made the importance of the game to Pep Guardiola clear.
Sometimes, when Liverpool broke forward, the Manchester City manager stood with his head in his hands, fearing what may come.
Once, when Anthony Taylor failed to award a foul against a Liverpool player who had dragged a City opponent to the ground, Guardiola turned away from the action in fury and stormed towards the bench, ripping his scarf from around his neck and hurling it to the floor.
Pep Guardiola's passionate display on the sideline showed how much Liverpool win meant
It was a game played at a pitch so intense that the tension was almost unbearable.
It was decided by the finest of margins but when it was over and City had prevailed, Guardiola sank into a chair and talked about what it meant for the rest of the season.
He talked about an addiction to winning. He talked about the taste of winning and how you want it again and again. City are still in four competitions and Guardiola insisted they would not let up in pursuit of any of them.
Once again, there was no attempt at disguise. In the aftermath of a momentous victory that kept City's title hopes alive, Guardiola looked exhausted but exultant. 'I would like to have two months' holiday right now,' he said, knowing he was not going to get it.
'For Liverpool the game was an important step but nothing changed.
'They are still the leader in the Premier League and four points [gap] is not bad, but for us it was a real final and we played in that way and that was why I was so pleased.
'It was almost over if we lost. Football in the Premier League is unpredictable. Wolves is able to win against Tottenham and three days later they don't win at home. When I arrive here, people say that is the Premier League.
'The exception was last season in our side and the exception was Liverpool so far this season. Normally, everybody drops points. But Liverpool! Of course they had chances tonight and you have to be lucky.
'In Anfield last season, in the Champions League, their first three shots on target were goals. I'm not denying in some moments we were lucky but we fought for that. We were there to press, to try to play. I'm sorry but we deserved the win.'
The Manchester City boss admitted he was addicted to winning and waned more trophies
He spoke as a man whose faith in so many of his players had been rewarded. He had made it plain to them what was on the line as they prepared to try to halt Liverpool's runaway train and they had stepped up and answered his call.
Outstanding performances from Fernandinho, Bernardo
