Klopp claims he 'didn't see' the foul which could have got Milner sent off

Jurgen Klopp has claimed he did not see the incident which could have led to James Milner being sent off against Manchester City.

Milner, who was deputising at right back for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, was already on a yellow card when he made a clumsy challenge on Bernardo Silva in the second half.

Referee Paul Tierney opted not to brandish a second yellow, much to the disgust of City boss Pep Guardiola - who raged at fourth official Mike Dean on the touchline.

Shortly after Milner escaped further punishment, Liverpool went 2-1 ahead when Mohamed Salah finished off a superb solo run - but City came back to earn a point. Milner was later taken off for Joe Gomez.

When asked about the incident after the game, Klopp insisted he had not seen it and did not know why Guardiola was so angry.

‘I don’t know. Was there one situation when Pep got a little bit outraged?' Klopp asked Sky Sports. 'I didn’t see that. I saw, obviously, Pep’s reaction but I didn’t know exactly why he did that.

'The plan, anyway, was to take him (Milner) off because it was clear they would go for him. That’s how it is. He did incredibly well in the first half, it’s not easy to defend [against] these guys. They are really good.

'If you defend as badly as we did in the first half then, as a full-back, you are very often in a very average situation. He did well, then we changed it – that’s it.’

Liverpool came close to winning it late on when the ball fell to Fabinho in the box but Rodri produced a brilliant block to prevent a certain goal.

Klopp was asked about the goals his team did score and the Liverpool boss reserved special praise for Salah, who produced the standout moment of the match.

'Both (goals) pretty good,' Klopp said. 'The biggest chance, unfortunately, we didn’t use. I have no idea who blocked the ball. Rodri blocked the ball? Phew. That was a clear... I thought the ball was in, but it’s all fine.

'Goal number one: top passing, top moving, top finishing. Goal number two: individual quality, which you see when you are really lucky, blessed, in the right time and the right space.

'If Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo scores that goal, then the whole world says “yes, because they are world-class”. Mo Salah scores that goal because he’s world-class, he’s one of the best players in the world. That’s how it is.

'The thing is, it’s not the first time he’s scored exactly that kind of goal. Tottenham, have a look back, years ago: similar goal, the finish slightly different, the dribbling the same. Napoli: similar goal, different finish, dribbling the same.

'Unfortunately, City’s second goal was deflected. I’d love to see [it back] – I think Ali was there. I would have loved to win but it’s a bit cheeky to ask for three points from today, if we are 100 percent honest, because I can’t forget the first half.’