Pep Guardiola described Manchester City's fightback against Liverpool as one of his "happiest" days as a manager.

After a difficult Champions League exit in Monaco and trailing to a James Milner penalty, City dug deep to equalise through Sergio Aguero, and might have won all three points at the Etihad Stadium late on.

Reacting to the match Guardiola said: “You cannot imagine. It is one of the happiest days of my career as a manager. I am so proud.

“After the Champions League, the last few days at training people were so, so, sad, people don’t talk too much. We arrive here against Liverpool who have no Europe all season and one week to prepare. The spirit, how we played, it is one of my happiest days as a manager.

“We created more than them. Our problem is we don’t score when they are easy goals. At least we showed spirit that we didn’t show in the first half in Monaco.

“When you approach one game after 10 games winning nothing is special. You have to consider the situation we played this game, how we played against them, a top team - they have exceptional players – means a lot to me. That is why I am so happy.”

Although Guardiola’s overall feeling was one of pride, he reiterated that City’s form in front of goal is holding them back on occasions.

He said: “We created more clear chances than Liverpool today but we just couldn’t score. To achieve the big targets you need to be clinical.”

The Catalan boss was also effusive in his praise of defender John Stones however, with the young England centre-back again impressive for City.

“(Stones) has been criticised a lot but I love his type of attitude,” Guardiola said. “I admire all my centre-halves for their personality.”