Iraola objects to the sending-off: We played two different matches against Manchester City

The Spanish coach is proud of his Liverpool players despite the three goals

Liverpool's Spanish manager Andoni Iraola reckons his side played two different games against visitors Manchester City, and he came away proud of his players.

Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday evening, in the sixth round of the Premier League.

It stayed goalless until Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch saw red in the 62nd minute. Three City goals followed in quick succession and the contest was over.

Speaking to "BBC" after the match, Iraola said: "I think it is first of all about the fact that we played two different games. The first before the red card, and the second after it. During the first 60 minutes, the players' performance was excellent. As for the second game, after the red card, Manchester City were better than us in it."

On the Gravenberch dismissal, he added: "The first yellow card was just a kick on the toe. It was nothing. It was a normal foul."

He continued: "That was the moment when we were putting in more effort. The momentum was building in our favour, and the atmosphere in the stadium was absolutely brilliant."

"We conceded only a few chances in the first half," he went on. "We put in a very good performance. And in the second half, we were turning that into chances."

The Spaniard then noted: "It is already difficult to press them when the two teams are even at 11 against 11, but with one man down, the game becomes completely different, and then we concede a goal right before making any substitution. You have to play differently when you are a goal behind."

And he added: "You learn a lot in games like this. I am very proud of my players. They gave their all today. It is true that we lost the match and did not get any positive result, but I enjoyed it a great deal."

Asked whether his injured players could return for the Champions League this week, Iraola said: "It will be difficult, there are only two days left. Nobody knows what will happen."