Guardiola defends City goalkeeper Steffen after FA Cup error against Liverpool

Manchester City lost semi-final at Wembley on Saturday

Liverpool players celebrate after Ibrahima Konate scores the opening goal in the 3-2 FA Cup semi-final win against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on April 16. EPA

Konate heads the first goal. AP

Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen looks on as his error leads to Sadio Mane scoring Liverpool's second goal. PA

Liverpool's supporters clebrate after Sadio Mane's goal. AFP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hugs Sadio Mane. EPA

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates. Getty

Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring Liverpool's third goal. AFP

Klopp celebrates with defender Trent Alexander-Arnold. EPA

City's Jack Grealish pulls a goal back. AP

Jack Grealish celebrates his goal. AP

Bernardo Silva scores City's second in time added on. Getty

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola embrace at the end of the game. AFP

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola defended back-up goalkeeper Zack Steffen after his error allowed Liverpool to seal a 3-2 win in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.

After Ibrahima Konate's header put Liverpool ahead, a mistake from United States international Steffen gave Jurgen Klopp's team a second goal in the 17th minute.

Steffen took too long when receiving a back pass from John Stones and Sadio Mane slid in to tackle the keeper and the ball flew into the net.

Mane then added another, on the stroke of half-time, driving a volley past Steffen after being set up by Thiago Alcantara.

Jack Grealish pulled a goal back for City minutes after resumption and then Bernando Silva made it 3-2 in stoppage time but that was not enough for City.

"It was an accident, but we need him to try because that's how we play our football," Guardiola said of Steffen.

"He deserves to play and after that he had a good game," Guardiola said. "He made good saves and is an exceptional keeper.

"We use our keeper to move our opponents into different situations," Guardiola said. "Sometimes the strikers miss in front of the keeper, other times the keeper makes a mistake."

Steffen was one of the seven changes Guardiola made from the team that started in their Champions League game in midweek, with the City boss opting to rest several of the team starters including first choice keeper Ederson.

City v Liverpool ratings

Meanwhile, Klopp hailed one of Liverpool's "best ever" performances. Liverpool kept alive their bid to win all four major trophies in a single season with a commanding performance at Wembley.

"Absolutely proud, incredible. The first half was one of the best we ever played. We did all the right stuff, we scored in the right moments. We were outstanding. I loved each second of it," Klopp said.

"The second half started with the goal for Man City and then it opens up. The quality of City is insane.

"We respect City so much and it's so difficult to win against them. But because we have these boys in our dressing room we have a chance."

"We'll see. We will try to do our best. It's a dream for sure and we'll fight for it," Mane told BBC Sport.

The Senegal forward admitted it was a big boost to beat title rivals City, who are also in the Champions League semi-finals, given their rivalry with Guardiola's men.

"It's special. It's a big win to win a semi-final and we are very happy to qualify for the final," Mane added.