John Stones laughs. "It's not your typical English football, is it?" he says as he discusses himself, Aymeric Laporte and goalkeeper Ederson passing the ball across their own six-yard area at Liverpool this month.
"It's what we worked on in training," the Manchester City defender says. "And to have that trust in each other is massive. But also to have that trust in yourself to do it."
There was method in the apparent madness. It was to draw out Liverpool's intense press and "create more space", Stones says.
"I don't think we could do it with any other manager [Pep Guardiola] and how he coaches us. It's down to him and his ideas. He's so detailed in what he wants and we all know where everyone is going to be. We know telepathically.
"We all know where everyone is at the right moment, and without even looking, you can play a pass. I don't really overthink what kind of situation I am in. For me to say that word [telepathically] is strange but it's kind of the norm now because we are training that hard and staying that focused to keep getting better."
How can City improve on last season's record 100 points?
"It's more of the same, really. It's such a high bar to set ourselves but that bar is there to be broken and I don't see why we can't break it [100 points]. I'm not saying we will but it has to be an ambition."
At Anfield, City earned a draw and also a clean sheet, which has become a regular feature of the season. They have stopped the opposition scoring in six of their nine league games so far, conceding just three goals. I tell him Leonardo Bonucci said he regards the goal like his home and will not allow any trespassers.
