Pep Guardiola has revealed why Manchester City adopted a more cautious approach against Liverpool.
Sunday’s clash between the sides ended in a stalemate with the Premier League champions appearing far more reserved than their usual expansive style.
Riyad Mahrez’s late penalty miss denied the Citizens a potential first victory at Anfield for over 15 years after Virgil van Dijk had fouled Leroy Sane.
And Guardiola admitted that he sought to nullify the counter-attacking tactic of Jurgen Klopp’s side which has proven City’s undoing in their past two visits.
He said: “If it is an open game at Anfield, you don’t even have one chance, not even one per cent of a chance.
“We controlled it through Riyad, Bernardo and the guys to give the extra pass.
“It’s important because up and down I’m pretty sure they are the best team in the world in these transitions, offensive, defensive. It is [a team] built for that.
“In that situation, they are much better than us.”