James Milner has insisted Vincent Kompany should not be blamed for Manchester City’s 3-2 defeat at Anfield on Sunday -- even though he played a part in all three Liverpool goals.
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Captain Kompany, who had been a doubt with a knee injury, was turned by Raheem Sterling before he scored the opener and lost Martin Skrtel when he headed in Liverpool’s second.
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And the Belgium defender’s sliced clearance led to Philippe Coutinho’s winner for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
But Milner, who impressed at Anfield as a second-half substitute, believes Kompany’s superb form over his City career means he should not be held responsible.
“Obviously he is disappointed,” Milner told the Manchester Evening News. “You can’t blame Vinny, everybody makes mistakes. Vinny has been outstanding for us.
“I’ve been at the club for four years and he’s been absolutely outstanding. You can’t say anything like that because of the amount of times he’s saved us as well. It’s one of those things.
“We had the chance down at the other end to put it away and grab a draw but it wasn’t to be and now it’s not in our hands.”
City now have six remaining games, beginning with Wednesday’s home match against Sunderland, but know that even if they win each of them, they need Liverpool to drop points if they are to become champions.
Milner added: “We have to rely on a mistake and make sure we win our remaining games.”