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
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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 -
Joao Cancelo 5 - The Portuguese was nowhere near his top form. Diaz kept him occupied and he was unable to get forward in the way he did in last week’s league game. AP -
John Stones 6 - The 27-year-old was solid during the periods when his team-mates were being over-run. He will think twice about passing the ball back to Steffan in future, though the goalkeeper's error was not his fault. EPA -
Nathan Ake 6 - The 27-year-old could not compete with a charging Konate for the opening goal. He managed Salah reasonably well. AFP -
Oleksandr Zinchenko 5 - The Ukrainian seemed to be on top of Salah until he attempted to head a shin-high ball and gave the striker a late chance. His passing was poor. AP -
Fernandinho 5 - The Brazilian could not cope with Thiago and Keita. At 36, he is now a step too slow against opposition like Liverpool. AP -
Bernardo Silva 6 - The Portuguese sat too deep to make the impact City needed. When he did get forward, he scored the stoppage-time goal that gave his side a chance. AFP -
Jack Grealish 5 - The 26-year-old took his goal well but drifted out of the game for long periods. It was a disappointing display and he was unable to generate any momentum. AP -
Gabriel Jesus 4 - The Brazilian was shrugged off by Konate too easily before the first goal. He missed a golden chance to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes to go and was replaced by Mahrez 13 minutes later. AP -
Phil Foden 4 - The 21-year-old was missing in action. When he did get on the ball, he was crowded out and marginalised. AP -
Raheem Sterling 4 - The former Liverpool man had a deeply disappointing day. He barely threatened his former club. EPA -
SUB: Riyad Mahrez 6 - The Algerian replaced Jesus with seven minutes to go. He got past Robertson and crossed to Silva, whose goal made the scoreline look respectable. EPA -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker 7 - The Brazilian took a number of chances when passing out from the back but got away with them. His save from Jesus late in the game was crucial to the victory. EPA -
Trent Alexander-Arnold 7 - The 23-year-old played a huge part in blunting City’s attack by keeping Foden on a tight rein. He still looked to get forward and was involved in the third goal. EPA -
Ibrahima Konate 8 - A strong performance by the Frenchman, who thumped another header into the net. He sometimes looks clumsy but his pace and composure surprised City. EPA -
Virgil van Dijk 6 - The Dutchman was not quite himself and wasted possession. His organisational skills were valuable, though, and he was vocal throughout. PA -
Andrew Robertson 6 - The Scot gave the ball away before City’s opening goal and he lost Mahrez for their second. On the plus side, his tackling was sharp and he worked the line effectively. AP -
Fabinho 7 - The Brazilian helped to control the midfield in the first half and ensured City’s build-up was interrupted after the break. A solid effort. PA -
Thiago Alcantara 8 - The 31-year-old was up for the battle and snapped into challenges. His chipped pass to Mane for the third goal was the finest example of his classy passing. He was replaced by Jones with three minutes to go. AP -
Naby Keita 8 - The Guinean’s mobility was crucial in the midfield and his pressing meant City could not settle. He worked hard until he was withdrawn for Henderson in the 73rd minute. EPA -
Mohamed Salah 6 - The Egyptian laboured in the Wembley sun but his mere presence unnerved the defence. He desperately needs a goal and nearly got one after a Zinchenko error. PA -
Sadio Mane 9 - The defining moment of the game came when the Senegalese harried Steffan and humiliated the goalkeeper by scoring. His second goal was a splendid volley. He left the pitch for Jota with five minutes to go to rapturous applause. PA -
Luis Diaz 8 - The Colombian kept Cancelo busy and showed off his close control and intelligent running. City were relieved when he went off with five minutes to go and was replaced by Firmino. AP -
SUBS: Jordan Henderson 6 - The 31-year-old came on for Keita in the 73rd minute to help close down the game. He was steady, even during the frantic final moments. PA -
Diogo Jota 6 - The Portuguese was introduced at Mane’s expense with five minutes to go. He responded to the challenge by putting pressure on the defenders. PA -
Roberto Firmino 6 - The Brazilian replaced Diaz with five minutes left. His fresh legs provided an injection of energy. Action Images -
Curtis Jones 6 - The 21-year-old joined the action with three minutes left in place of Thiago. He immediately hunted out possession and ran at the defence. AP
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.
