Many Manchester City fans have been reflecting on Bernardo Silva’s performance against Liverpool from January 2019 amid rumours of transfer interest from FC Barcelona.
Bernardo’s performance against Liverpool in January 2019 has been widely regarded as his best display in Sky Blue by supporters who have been reflecting on the game.
Pep Guardiola deployed the Portuguese wide midfielder in a deeper role as part of his three-man core, and saw the 26-year-old thrive in the position where he would create Sergio Aguero’s opening goal in a 2-1 win.
Bernardo went on to end the 2018/19 season with a total of eight Premier League assists, alongside seven strikes of his own, and would be named as the Citizens’ Player of the Year as the Etihad Stadium outfit wrapped up the title after edging Liverpool by a single point.
Fans reflecting on the performance have been responding to a recent tweet from Sky Blues fan account City Extra, with a handful of the stats mentioned correlating with data recorded by WhoScored at the time.
City Extra note that Bernardo registered 75 touches, three accurate long balls, two successful dribbles, won five ground duels, made four interceptions, won three tackles and registered one clearance whilst running a total 13.7km.
Supporters have been quick to label it as Bernard’s best performance in a City shirt and hail his efforts, whilst hoping to see that same output in their side’s upcoming Champions League Quarter-Final contest with Olympique Lyonnais on Saturday night.
Bernardo’s best performance in a city shirt to date. The moment my love for that man started. What a performance it was. https://t.co/pFUorooVmU
— Ant (@BernardoTouch) August 10, 2020
Best game he’s had in a City shirt. Unplayable
— KDBallon d’Or (@LostAbove) August 9, 2020
Was basically prime Gullit for that game
— jamie (@Jamie9320) August 9, 2020
Need this Bernardo back https://t.co/hcfFW3lLBI
— M🥤 (@mcfcmxtt) August 10, 2020
Need @BernardoCSilva to get back to this form, World class player imo 💙
— Aguhero🐝10💙 (@Kevinnieagueroo) August 10, 2020
His best game in sky blue
— Sean Jones (@SJones161) August 9, 2020
We need this Bernardo Silva back. A man possessed in the 18-19 season. https://t.co/rudh4kk56X
— Luke (@Komps4) August 10, 2020
Bernardo’s display against Liverpool, which without could have cost City the 2018/19 Premier League title, have left some supporters also urging the Sky Blues not to sell the Portuguese midfielder.
Reports have emerged claiming FC Barcelona are willing to use Guardiola’s recent preference of Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden to acquire Bernardo, as the La Liga outfit see the Portuguese as a player who would be key to their efforts next season.
Please don’t let him go @ManCity https://t.co/m1YDrUErrh
— Bashir (@WeirdKidinClas) August 10, 2020
Not all fans have met the throwback post with praise, however, as some believe it showed what Bernardo used to be capable of when he had the desire to work for the side in both attack and defence.
I feel like the main thing about this season is Bernardo doesn’t look as committed to defend as he used to be https://t.co/wtjK00JEDR
— Sas (@KDBased) August 10, 2020