Pep Guardiola feared his Manchester City would be swept away by an Anfield "tsunami" as they fought out a thrilling Premier League draw with Liverpool.

Alexis Mac Allister's penalty shortly after half-time wiped out a first-half opener from John Stones in a 1-1 stalemate on Sunday afternoon.

City had dominated before the interval only for the Reds to produce a strong showing after the break and were controversially denied an injury-time penalty when Mac Allister appeared to be fouled by Jeremy Doku.

And Guardiola, who has never won at Anfield in front of paying supporters, acknowledged the impact of the Liverpool fans.

"We spoke at half-time that in this stadium if you have to defend something you have to play and play and play," said the City boss. "But sometimes you can't because they are really good, they are the best team I ever seen in the high pressing.

"In the Etihad Stadium we were able to do it, in the last two games we were magnificent with our results... we drew there this season (against Liverpool) but we played really good.

"Here is completely different, we play in Anfield, the environment is a reality, the players know it, I know it, opponents know it. But we never tried to forget to play, knowing that somebody it is difficult.

"We gave away the penalty, and sooner or later with this stadium you have 15 or 20 minutes and it looks like a tsunami, oh my God, coming for everybody who has the ball.

"After, when Mateo (Kovacic) came in you can make extra passes and that was the target, because they (Liverpool) are very strong in pressing and counter-pressing and in this stadium it is not easy.

"We never stopped trying to play and with Mateo and John and Phil and Rodri inside we had the quality to keep the ball like we couldn't keep it before. They have their chances, we have our chances and at the end the game is what happened."

Asked if the game lived up to expectations, Guardiola said: "I hope so. I think the games between both clubs have been similar for many years. We started really well, even before the goal we had chances. We played with huge personality.

"After the first half it is difficult because with Endo and Mac Allister they have extra passes and the quality to play - before, they were more direct - without losing how direct they can be in transitions."

Kovacic had been introduced midway through the second half in place of Kevin De Bruyne, who then remonstrated with Guardiola on the touchline.

But the City boss said: "Now he's happy, no problem. I like it. If he's upset, it's good. I made the decision because I knew we missed keeping the ball and we could not have it with him and Bernardo and John, and after we did it better.

"What can I say for Kevin? We need it and we need him and it's really important. It's a difficult place to come and he tried and in the first half he was incredibly involved in all the transitions and the shots and the corner. We know it."

Liverpool and City were the top two going into the weekend's games but have now been overtaken by Arsenal, who lead the Reds on goal difference with City a point adrift.

And Guardiola said of the title race: "I know what defines the quality of what we have done, the five Premier Leagues out of six, is the quality of our opponent and this is our opponent for seven or eight years, not even one time did they drop.

"So today what we have done these years against that opponent, against Jurgen's team, give more credit for what we have done. Arsenal last year came back and will stay for a long time because they are a young team with an exceptional manager.

"Still there are 10 games to go, 30 points to play for, one point difference. The important thing is we are there."