Jurgen Klopp claimed he was always planning to take James Milner off after his first-half caution in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
The Reds were held by Pep Guardiola's side after twice taking the lead in a breathless second period at Anfield.
Goals from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were cancelled out by Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne as both teams were forced to settle for a share of the points.
Milner was booked in the first half for a block on Foden and avoided a second from referee Paul Tierney after a crude challenge on Bernardo Silva that infuriated the City bench.
READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings after thrilling 2-2 draw with Man City
Milner was withdrawn shortly after for Joe Gomez and Klopp said that was always in the thinking after the initial carding in the first half.
"I heard that, but I didn’t see it, I was too far away but I saw the reaction from the City bench," said Klopp on Milner escaping a sending off.
"We planned to take Milly off because of the yellow card from the first half.
"Our reaction in the second half was us. Second half was brave, aggressive, full of determination, we were ready to play the small spaces, play the extra pass and use the width.
"It is a really good lesson for us not that I needed it, but at least when you get something like that first half you need to show a reaction and the boys did show this reaction, they were absolutely great.
"Even with two good halves there are times we do not win against City but the first half was probably the worst we played against them."
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Salah's ninth goal of a hugely productive campaign was arguably the best of the lot after he wriggled free of four challenges before dispatching past Ederson.
Klopp said it was a strike that only the "best players in the world" are capable of.
He added: "The first goal was a great counter attack bang bang two passes, a top finish from Sadio and the second goal only the best players in the world score goals like this.
"The first touch he wins, he takes the ball there, puts it on his right foot and finishes it there. It was absolutely exceptional.
"This club never forgets anything and people will talk about this goal for a long long time and in 50-60 years when they still remember this game.
"It was a really good moment."
