Jurgen Klopp has cited Liverpool's stunning first-half performance against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final as one of the best he has seen during his reign as the Reds' boss. 

Ibrahima Konate opened the scoring after just nine minutes with his third goal for the Reds in as many games as he towered over Nathan Ake to connect with Andy Robertson's whipped corner. 

And just eight minutes later, Sadio Mane was on hand to pounce on a calamitous moment for stand-in goalkeeper Zack Steffen as he was tackled by the Senegal international on the goal-line, which saw the ball fly straight into the back of the net and send supporters into dreamland.

Mane rounded off a flawless opening 45 minutes when he grabbed the Reds' third, as he completed a stellar team move with a crisp volley into the near post

However, despite Manchester City facing a gruelling challenge in midweek against Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, and the heavy rotation Pep Guardiola conducted to his side, Klopp was keen to wax lyrical about Liverpool's performance before the interval.

Speaking to reporters in his post-match press conference, Klopp said when asked if it was the best first-half display he had seen as Liverpool manager:

"Yeah, I think so. It was the feeling I had after the game and when I watched first-half because of the quality of the opponent, as we saw in the first half,  denying them in so many moments is so difficult. 

"So creating your own opportunities and using them is obviously very difficult as well. So yeah, the first half was outstanding in all parts of the game, I'd say."

Manchester City clearly received an earful from Guardiola at halftime, as they scored within 180 seconds of the restart thanks to Gabriel Jesus teeing up Jack Grealish to slam home from close range.

And despite Bernardo Silva's finish from inside the box when Kevin Friend signalled four minutes of additional time, to make it a nervy end to proceedings at Wembley, Klopp refused to criticise his side for their second-half display.

"In the second-half they scored like we did in the previous game, an early goal. It's clear it opens up, no football player on the planet is safe against City with a 3-1 lead. There were not a lot of moments [for City], we defended well. 

"Yes, we needed Ali. What a game he played! But we had moments ourselves to decide the game earlier but didn't do it. 3-0 against City would have sounded strange. 3-2 against City is fair and it's still good enough to make the final."