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"Beautiful," was how Pep Guardiola described Anfield after Manchester City's defeat to Liverpool on New Year's Eve.

The City boss, however, was less enamoured with his side's performance, admitting the game had been somewhat quiet.

Gini Wijnaldum settled a contest that had been given quite the build-up. The Dutchman's eight-minute header was the game's decisive moment, with Jurgen Klopp's Reds able to see out the victory in the second half despite City enjoying the bulk of possession.

Not the most aesthetically-pleasing game, by any means. It featured just three shots on target in total, with City managing two to Liverpool's one, though the win keeps Klopp's men second in the table, six points behind leaders Chelsea.

"I think the game was equal," Guardiola said. "We started really well. We spoke about coming here and playing with courage.

"I know Manchester City's history here, but we started well. Then after the first time they arrived, we conceded a goal – good cross, good header. We had a lot of people there, but it happened.

"Nothing happened too much in the first half. We didn't create too many chances, neither did Liverpool.

"Then the second half, they started better than us. But after the first 10 minutes the game changed a little bit, it was more aggressive. We created a few more chances in front, but really in the last few minutes nothing happened."

Guardiola did, however, suggest that his side had "controlled the game" – though Liverpool would point to the subdued performances of Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne as proof of a job well done defensively.

"Other than the goal, Bravo didn't take another ball," Guardiola said. "It was a little bit like our season has been, we controlled the game.

"We were quite stable behind. We have conceded a lot of chances, a lot of goals, but we controlled the counter attack with Mane and the others. We didn't let them because when they win the ball they are a top team running in behind."

Guardiola refused to be drawn on his side's title chances, insisting he would focus only on the next game and not the 10-point gap to Chelsea.

(Image: PA Wire)

"I could see how we reacted to going 1-0 down at Anfield," he said. "We played with personality, we just missed a little bit up front.

"Liverpool is one of the best teams, we knew that. We try to be protagonists, we try to play with personality and play the game how we want. Normally, we can."

Guardiola finished his post-match press conference with some kind words for the Anfield atmosphere.

"Yeah, it was good!" he said. "It's a good stadium, Beautful!"

Few Reds would disagree with him.