Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists Zak Steffen deserved to play after their FA Cup semifinal defeat to Liverpool.

Ibrahima Konate headed Liverpool into an early lead, which was doubled after Zack Steffen's hesitancy on his goalline allowed Sadio Mane to pounce.

It was a goal which punished City for trying to play out from the back in our trademark style, but Guardiola refused to blame the American, who he says deserved to keep his place in the side as the squad's domestic cup 'keeper.

“It's an accident," he added.

“Ederson was close in the last game as well. It happens. We need that for our football.

“Of course, you should review if it happens often but the way we use our keeper and move them in different situations, I'd say the average of the way we create from there, this can happen.

“I'm pretty sure Zack didn't want to do this. The strikers miss the chances in front of the keepers all the time.

“Zack deserved to play and he made good decisions and good saves after that. He's an exceptional goalkeeper."