Pep Guardiola says he saw enough during the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool to believe his players will soon end a winless run of seven games.
City were forced to withstand ferocious early pressure from the home team, conceding a goal on 12 minutes.
But the Blues’ boss was pleased with his team’s resilience and determination – particularly after the break – and believes his players will return to winning ways before too long.
“First, I would like congratulate Liverpool on a well-deserved win,” said Guardiola.
“The first 20 minutes we experienced [intensity and pressure] like when we came here in our prime.
“I saw how Ruben came back. How good Nathan controlled Salah.
“I want the team back. I want the players back. Three or four players came back [from injury] and the feeling from here is we started to build something.
“From here we’re going to try to build, win games and regain our confidence.
“Then we are team and it’s fantastic. I’m sitting here defending what we defend because these players give everything.
“The best years I lived in Manchester, and I have to find a solution to try to win games.
“If we gave up at Anfield and are not consistent, you go home with a terrible result.
“The team was there all the time.”