Jurgen Klopp branded the Uefa Nations League "the most senseless competition in the world" as the Liverpool manager called for more protection for his players after an intense run of fixtures.
Riyad Mahrez missed a late penalty as Premier League title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City fought out a goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday.
City's record signing Mahrez blazed over his 85th-minute spot-kick after Virgil van Dijk had upended substitute Leroy Sane with a rash challenge.
The biggest game of the season struggled to live up to its pre-match hype in the first half as the sides cancelled each other out and chances were at a premium.
In Pictures | Liverpool vs Manchester City | 07/10/2018
Liverpool headed into Sunday's clash off the back of what Klopp labelled an "unbelievably intense... crazy" run of fixtures, with the Reds facing Tottenham, PSG, Southampton, Chelsea (twice, in the League and EFL Cup), Napoli and champions City since September 15.
Liverpool sit joint-top of the Premier League alongside City and Chelsea going into the second international break of the season, with each team having collected 20 points from eight games.
Klopp says he is happy with how things are progressing for his team this term, though he expressed frustration that his players must now take part in a demanding round of international fixtures.
He added: “I knew it before and Arsenal is two points behind and they won six games in a row. It looks like they are in a good shape.
“If somebody had told me after eight fixture lists 20 points I would say yes but with this fixture list, I would buy it.
“Now the players go off and play the Nations League, which is the most senseless competition in the world.
“We have to start thinking about the players. You have to call the manager of any country and say can you leave players out and he says I am under pressure as well.”
Additional reporting by the Press Association.
