Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool reaction: Pep Guardiola says it was like a final

Sergio Aguero, with his seventh goal in as many home league matches against the Reds, and Leroy Sane scored either side of Roberto Firmino's second-half equaliser to reduce the distance between the two sides to four points.

Had City lost, a 10-point disadvantage would have looked insurmountable even for the defending champions and Guardiola believes they have now breathed new life into their chase.

"We reduced the gap. Still four points is enough points to be calm but it is a good moment to congratulate and say thank you to these incredible players.

"They showed how good they are playing against an incredible team. It was a final for us because lose and it was almost over. Now is tight again. Now rest and relax."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp felt the decision to show Vincent Kompany only a yellow card for his shin-high challenge on Mohamed Salah with the match still goalless was pivotal.

And he questioned just what kind of treatment the Egypt international would have to receive before opponents were severely punished.

"If Mo is on his feet - not in the moment when he jumps over him - we talk differently (about the outcome)," said Klopp, who first spoke about 'needing blood' after the treatment Salah received in Saturday's win over Arsenal.

"That's why I said last time, 'Do we need blood? Do we need an open something?' (wound).

"If Mo can go through (on goal), what happens then? I don't blame anyone but in a situation like that, make a decision."

Guardiola refused to be drawn into the row.

"The decision of the referee, you have to ask to the referee. One day in my life I speak quite well about the referee and I understand you can be banned," he said.

Liverpool had their chances, most notably when Sadio Mane hit the post and John Stones' clearance cannoned back towards goal, only to be cleared off the line 11 millimetres short - according to goalline technology - of going in.

But defeat to their main rivals - and first of the season - means questions will start to be asked about whether the Reds can maintain their commanding position.

Klopp, however, declared himself satisfied with the position they were in.

"I have so much faith in my players, you can't imagine," he added.

"If someone had told me after both games after Man City we were four points up, I would have paid money for it, you cannot believe. It is something not possible."

Premier League title odds (Sky Bet)

• Liverpool - 4/5
• Manchester City - 6/5
• Tottenham - 20/1

Click here to view the market in full

Opta facts

• Man City ended Liverpool’s unbeaten Premier League start to the season in the 21st match - only Arsenal in 2003-04 (38 games), Man Utd in 2010-11 (24) and Man City in 2017-18 (22) have had longer unbeaten starts to a Premier League season.
• This was only Man City’s second win in their last 12 matches against Liverpool in all competitions (D3 L7), winning at the Etihad in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons.
• Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Sergio Aguero has scored 37 Premier League goals for Man City in meetings between ‘big six’ clubs – 16 more than any other player.
• Liverpool have lost 10 of their 25 matches in all competitions under Jurgen Klopp in the month of January (W8 D7), making up 29% of his total defeats as Reds boss (10 of 35).
• Sergio Aguero has scored in all seven of his Premier League appearances for Manchester City against Liverpool at the Etihad, scoring one goal in each game.
• Since the start of last season, Leroy Sane has been involved in 26 goals in 25 home Premier League appearances for Manchester City (9 goals, 17 assists).
• Roberto Firmino has scored his 10th goal of the season for Liverpool in all competitions, registering double figures for the fourth consecutive season (11 in 2015-16, 12 in 2016-17, 27 in 2017-18).
• Liverpool conceded more than once in a Premier League game for the first time since drawing 2-2 at West Bromwich Albion in April.
• Man City won a Premier League match against a team starting the day top of the table for the first time since winning 2-1 against Liverpool in December 2013.
• It was the first time in Pep Guardiola's 97 Premier League games in charge of Man City that they have had less than 50% possession (Sky Sports).