Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish insists fatigue wasn't a factor for their FA Cup semifinal defeat to Liverpool.
It appeared City's intense recent schedule, including a draining Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid and last week's exhilarating draw with Liverpool, had caught up with them.
But Grealish said: "I'm not going sit here and say excuses. I just think we came out slow. That was it.
"Liverpool have been the same as us, they've travelled the same amount as us in the last few weeks, played the same as us.
"We didn't have the first half that we wanted to but we came in at half-time and manager made a few changes. I think we were much better for it but I think in the end it was too little, too late."
City lead Liverpool by one point at the top of the Premier League and face Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
They are back in action as they host Brighton midweek.
"We still have still have the Champions League and the Premier League to play for," said Grealish. "So we need to pick ourselves up and get back on track for Wednesday."
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