John Stones names Manchester City coach as brain behind corner routine against Liverpool

Manchester City backroom staff member Carlos Vicens has been named as the brain behind the corner-kick routine that led to the opening goal against Liverpool on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s side had to accept a point at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, as Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half penalty cancelled out John Stones’ 23rd minute goal.

The 29-year-old had struck Manchester City into the lead on Merseyside with a cleverly worked set-piece goal, following a brilliant cross from Kevin De Bruyne and smart decoy run from Nathan Ake.

The Blues’ impressive first-half of work was frustratingly undone early into the second-half however, as Darwin Nunez won the home side a penalty following a badly timed challenge by goalkeeper Ederson, after Ake’s poorly placed pass.

Manchester City successfully held out for a point despite Liverpool’s rallying attempts to score a second, with Stones’ 16th goal for the Blues potentially securing a crucial point.

The Englishman was on the scoresheet for the first time since last season’s win over Arsenal, with Guardiola’s team currently embattled with the Gunners and Liverpool in a three-way battle for the Premier League trophy.

Speaking to broadcasters at Anfield after the 1-1 draw, Stones was keen to praise one of Guardiola’s assistants as the mastermind behind the corner routine that directly resulted in his opening goal at Anfield.

“Carlos (Vicens) worked hard on it in training as we do every week,” said Stones.

“We spotted this and yesterday we worked on it and it came off which was pleasing for me to get on the scoresheet, my first one of the season and to get off the mark in a big game as well.”

The City defender continued by stressing the magnitude of the games to come, especially in the Premier League, as he said: “Every game is a final for us now. You’ve heard that numerous times from us now.

“We treat it like that, every game we play, we always give the utmost respect to whoever we’re playing. We treat them as finals and must win games.

“We’ve got to continue and take the positives from today and really look forward to the next game and looking forward, try to go on a nice run.”

Manchester City face Arsenal in their next Premier League match later this month, with the Sky Blues one point behind both Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp’s sides ahead of the final 10 matches of the season.

City are back in action next weekend however, hosting Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup.