Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has defended his team selection following their 3-2 defeat against Liverpool in FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday.
The Spaniard made a total seven changes to his starting lineup, and two of which were enforced as Kevin De Bruyne was not fit to begin the match, while Kyle Walker missed out entirely.
Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho, Nathan Ake, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Zack Steffen were all handed starts for the Wembley showdown, the latter of whom made two errors for Liverpool's final two goals scored by Sadio Mane in the first half.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Guardiola revealed that he had no regrets over his team selection and he was also keen to support Steffen who endured a day to forget between the sticks.
"I have a lot of confidence in my players and selections. I trust a lot of them. We had a terrible run of fixtures and travel and a lot of important games. That's why we needed fresh legs," the 51-year-old said to the press, via the Independent.
"We started well but after one set piece, where Liverpool are so strong, and the second was an accident, it was tough. Then we conceded a third in the last minute of the first half.
"In the first half we were so passive, we were scared to support people when we went there, but in the second half we had the momentum, we had the most clear chances."
When asked to comment about Steffen's mistake for Liverpool's second goal, Guardiola added: "It's an accident, it happens. [Ederson] was close (to making a similar mistake) in the last game [against Liverpool] as well. We need that to create our football. Mane was quicker and that's all.
"I'm pretty sure Zack didn't want to do it. Sometimes strikers miss chances in front of keepers, but keepers are punished more."
Liverpool took a commanding three-goal lead into half time when Ibrahima Konate's ninth-minute opener was followed by a brace from Mane, and although strikes from Grealish and Bernardo Silva gave City hope of a comeback, Jurgen Klopp's men held on for a deserved victory, sending them through to their first FA Cup final since 2012.
Man City will now prepare for their Premier League encounter against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Oliver Thomas
