Spanish central midfielder Rodri believes that stopping Fabinho from scoring for Liverpool against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday was as vital as netting a goal.
The defensive midfielder stood out for Pep Guardiola's side in the intense 2-2 draw on Sunday in the Premier League.
Fabinho had what appeared to be an empty net after a free kick went over City keeper Ederson.
However, Rodri slid in to stop a certain goal and earn his team a point.
"Sometimes you need defensive actions and they are as important as offensive actions," Rodri said on the block.
"Of course, they came close.
"But I was ready to help the team in that situation. It was a key moment and I was happy to defend that goal. It was nearly awful for us, but it finished 2-2 so I am happy with that."
He added on the game as a whole: "It is about the mentality and the character of this team.
"We don't give up and we are the champions, so we have to face every situation. The way we were losing 1-0 and then 2-1, but we came back with personality, fight, we never dropped and we achieved this point. We are happy but I think we deserved to win.
"We still have young lads on the pitch and I think they have a very experienced squad. Almost the same players every year and it is not easy to come back in this way.
"They are very tactical, they defend very good and I think these moments give us the feeling that we can win and fight again.
"It has been an unbelievable week with three tough games. It is not easy and all of them were away from our home.
"Three games away, with the travelling, I think we deserved to win all three, honestly. Chelsea, Paris and today.
"But football is like this and these big teams have very good players that can make the difference.
"Sometimes we still have to step forward in the areas, both offensively and defensively, to make the difference. I think we have to work on that."
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