Stones: Clean sheet at Anfield is a real positive

JOHN Stones has revealed there is no set penalty-taking hierarchy at City after Riyad Mahrez missed the crucial spot kick against Liverpool.

The Blues were handed a gilt-edged opportunity to snatch an 85th-minute winner when Leroy Sané was felled in the box, but the former Leicester man skied his effort from 12 yards to extend City’s winless run at Anfield.

Gabriel Jesus, who replaced Sergio Aguero on the hour-mark, was poised to take the penalty, but Mahrez took the ball off the Brazilian on the orders of Pep Guardiola.

And Stones, who was impressive alongside Aymeric Laporte in defence for City, says it is usually up to the players who takes the penalty when first-choice taker Aguero is absent.

“It was a great opportunity to go and win the game,” Stones said.

“I wasn’t taking any notice of who was going to take it.

“I thought it was just decided between the boys and Riyad was taking them really well in training all week and had the courage to step up.

“He’s deflated and I think if it was me I would be the same.”

City lost three of their four games against Liverpool last season, and Stones was glad to keep a clean sheet against one of the most ominous forward lines in the Premier League.

“A clean sheet at Anfield is not something you can do very often,” he said.

“Their attacking threat is brilliant. We stopped that.

“I thought we defended really well as a team right until the end. We can take a lot of positives from it and be proud of how we performed.”