Pep Guardiola has praised the efforts of his Manchester City side after they held off a "tsunami" of Liverpool attacks to claim a point in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Anfield.
The Citizens made a positive start to the first half and were deservedly in front on the 23-minute mark when John Stones finished a clever corner routine by Kevin De Bruyne.
However, City shot themselves in the foot just 84 seconds after the restart when Ederson sent Darwin Nunez flying with a rash challenge inside the penalty area following a poor backpass from Nathan Ake; Alexis Mac Allister coolly dispatched the resulting spot kick after a slight delay.
After restoring parity, Liverpool turned the screw in front of a fired-up Anfield crowd and had numerous opportunities to complete the turnaround, with Luis Diaz in particular missing a couple of glorious chances when played through on goal.
Man City had chances of their own in the closing stages - Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher punched a cross from Ake onto Phil Foden, with the rebound smacking the crossbar, before substitute Jeremy Doku hit the inside of the post on the 89-minute mark, but the absorbing contest ended with the spoils being shared at Anfield.
The draw extends Man City's unbeaten run in all competitions to 21 matches, while they remain third in the Premier League table, just one point behind both Liverpool and Arsenal, the latter now leading the way at the summit on goal difference following their 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.
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Reflecting on his side's performance against Jurgen Klopp's men and the finely-poised title race, Guardiola told reporters: "It is a game that defined where both clubs have been for many years. This is our opponent and not one time [have they] dropped, maybe one season but always they will be there.
"Today I reflected with the guys what we have done over the years against Jurgen's team. Give us more credit for what we have done.
"To us already it was clear. Arsenal last year came back and stayed there for a long time because they are a young team with an exceptional manager.
"There are still 10 games to play, 30 points to play for, one point difference. Still we are there. That is the important thing."
Guardiola was particularly pleased with the way that his City side responded to a strong spell of Liverpool dominance in the second half and has taken positives from the result claimed against "the best team I've ever seen at high pressing".
"Before the goal we had chances with huge personality in the first half and after it was difficult because they have [Wataru] Endo and Mac Allister and extra passes and quality to play before they were maybe more direct," Guardiola added.
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"We gave away the penalty and sooner or later in this stadium you have 15 or 20 minutes where it's like a tsunami. They come for everybody, they have the ball and everything.
"After when Mateo [Kovacic] came on we made extra passes, and this is the target. In the first half, it's not we didn't want it, it's that they're strong in their pressing in this stadium... it's not easy.
"We never give away trying to play. With Mateo, John, Rodri and Phil inside we had the quality to keep the ball like we couldn't before. We had our chances, they had their chances and at the end of the game it's what happened.
"We talk [about keeping the ball] but sometimes you can't because they are the best team I've ever seen at high pressing. We were able to do it in the last two games at the Etihad, we drew.
"But here it is completely different, the fact of the environment is a reality, and the players know it and the opponents know it. When we are able to do it we never try to forget to play. That's what I like because sometimes it's difficult."
Man City will now turn their attention to Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Newcastle United, before playing host to Arsenal in the Premier League after the international break on March 30.
Oliver Thomas
