Manchester City defender John Stones says Liverpool have pushed them to new levels this season.

City have now won 12 in a row and 19 of their last 20 league games in the face of fierce competition from Liverpool – this year's eventual runners-up look set for a massive points total in the mid nineties.

Stones says it is a dream to be in the driving seat and close to consecutive championships, and the tight race is “keeping it exciting."

He said: “To keep the pressure on and being at the top is a massive thing, to keep the momentum going. To overcome these hurdles was really special and we felt relieved after the game to be there.

“It's down to the boys - we're going into these big games and everyone is looking forward to them. We'll be really pleased to get over the line.

“It's a different scenario, because last season the league was done by now. It's a strange situation because some of us haven't been in this situation before. I think Vinny (Kompany) said that these are the times when it brings the best out of you as a player. Him, David (Silva), Sergio (Aguero) and a few of the others have been in this situation before - so they know what the feeling is. How to get the best out of it. We've got to be guided by those and try to take everything in.

“It makes everything exciting, keeps everyone on our toes."