Guardiola defends City goalkeeper Steffen after FA Cup error against Liverpool

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.

MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Zack Steffen 2 - The American made a gruesome error that put the game out of City’s reach at 2-0. He also should have done better at the near post for Liverpool’s third. PA

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