Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits the momentum in Sunday's Premier League match against Liverpool turned on the penalty his team gave away.
City were leading 1-0 at the time but a mistake from Nathan Ake and Ederson allowed the hosts to equalise through Alexis Mac Allister.
City took the lead midway through the first half when a smart corner from Kevin De Bruyne was turned in at the near post by John Stones.
The visitors were well on top against a depleted Liverpool team, who were without Ibrahima Konate due to an injury he picked up in midweek.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola oversaw his team's 1-1 draw against Liverpool
Sky Sports
But City gifted Liverpool an equaliser early in the second period when Ake's under-hit back pass only reached Darwin Nunez.
An outrushing Ederson took Nunez out and referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Alexis Mac Allister kept his cool from 12 yards to draw Liverpool level and the goal sparked the hosts into life.
Liverpool then went close on several occasions and Guardiola admits his team 'suffered' because of the equaliser.
Guardiola told Sky Sports: "We started really well but they are an incredible team. We had our moments, they had theirs. The way they play it is not easy. We take that point.
"First half we had momentum, lots of chances first half. And after we gave away the penalty, we suffered. It was a good game for the spectators."
Kevin De Bruyne was visibly angry with Guardiola that he was taken off with over 20 minutes of the match remaining.
But Guardiola didn't have a problem with his reaction, saying: "That's good. Have a chance next game to prove it.
"We need a player who keeps the ball. It's not about pressing. [Mateo] Kovacic is really good at that. We were happy with Kevin. It's not a problem. We're fine."
Guardiola admitted the atmosphere on Merseyside played an impact on the result.
The Spaniard is yet to win at Anfield in the presence of a crowd, with his only victory coming during the covid pandemic.
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Ederson gave away a penalty for a foul on Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez
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Guardiola said: "I know how difficult it is at Anfield. It is difficult at Etihad too, Liverpool have not won there in eight years.
"We prove, both sides we are incredible competitors. I would prefer a win but they prove for many years the quality they have. It was good from everyone."
Stones admitted the City dressing room was disappointed with the outcome.
The defender said: "We created quite a lot of chances early on in the game and probably could have taken them and been two or three up but that is football.
Man City failed to make their first-half dominance count
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"We know what we are in for coming here. We feel a bit deflated in the dressing room. We came here to win, but this is such a difficult place to come.
"I think the second half was more them than us and it kind of balanced out. We'll take the point.
"Every game is a final for us. We treat every game like that. We have to continue, take the positives out of today and look forward to the next game."
