Manchester City are through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after defeating Liverpool 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium this evening.
The first chance fell to Cole Palmer, who miskicked Erling Braut Haaland’s cross. City opened the scoring minutes later through their mercurial forward.
After excellent interplay between Palmer and Kevin De Bruyne, the latter crossed for Haaland, who got ahead of Joe Gomez to score.
It was Haaland’s 24th goal for City in his 19th appearance.
Liverpool replied immediately through Darwin Nunez when he hit the bar, but there was an offside in the build-up. The equaliser came after 20 minutes through Fabio Carvalho, who stroked home James Milner’s cross.
Palmer was enjoying himself on the pitch and put in two teasing crosses for Haaland to attack a few minutes later.
City applied pressure, and De Bruyne created two incredible chances for his side to retake the lead.
Firstly, he cut a cross back for Ilkay Gundogan who fired, but Caoimhin Kelleher stuck out a foot and saved it. Next, the Belgian wired a superb cross that Nathan Ake headed, but the keeper saved again.
Nunez had two chances to give Liverpool the lead before half-time but fired wide from almost the same position twice in a row.
City retook their lead two minutes into the second half. Rodri drove the ball out wide, and Riyad Mahrez controlled excellently, cut in and fired home.
Liverpool responded immediately. The Merseyside club pulled City into a high press before escaping down the left, and Nunez set up Mohamed Salah to tap home.
City took the lead for the third time when Ake headed home another delicious De Bruyne cross after an hour.
Both sides jostled for the game, and City came close again. First, Fabinho blocked De Bruyne’s curling left-footed shot before Phil Foden followed with a powerful shot that the Liverpool keeper stopped.
City saw out the game to send Liverpool packing and move into the last eight of the competition.
Manchester City 3-2 Liverpool: Player ratings
Manchester City
Stefan Ortega (6/10) – Liverpool barely tested him with anything, and his distribution was excellent.
Rico Lewis (6/10) – The 18-year-old struggled as Nunez and Carvalho interchanged positions to attack him along with Robertson.
Manuel Akanji (7/10) – He was solid and uncompromising. His passing was deft, and he helped start many attacks.
Aymeric Laporte (6.5/10) – Nunez beat the former Athletic Bilbao man for pace for the second goal. His passing was good.
Nathan Ake (8/10) – The Dutchman was sturdy in defence, good on the ball, and scored a brilliant header.
Rodri (7/10) – The Spaniard did not protect his defence enough but stretched Liverpool’s with his long passing and recorded an assist.
Kevin De Bruyne (9/10) – The playmaker created some tasty chances and recorded two lovely assists. He deserved his man-of-the-match award.
Ilkay Gundogan (6.5/10) – His forward runs from midfield threatened, and he kept things ticking nicely.
Riyad Mahrez (8/10) – He was quiet in the first half but sparked the second half to life with a well-taken strike.
Cole Palmer (7/10) – The youngster was sleek and played neat football before coming off. It was an exciting performance.
Erling Haaland (7.5/10) – The wonderkid netted the opener and created openings for his side before waning.
Substitutes
Bernardo Silva (N/A)
Jack Grealish (5/10)
John Stones (6/10)
Phil Foden (7/10)
Liverpool
Caoimhin Kelleher (7.5/10) – He made crucial saves in both halves to keep Liverpool in the game. His distribution was shaky at times.
James Milner (7/10) – The veteran midfielder recorded an assist before coming off early.
Joe Gomez (6/10) – He had his moments on the ball but was suspect defensively.
Joel Matip (6/10) – The former Cameroon international struggled with Haaland’s movement, but his on-the-ball skills were on show.
Andy Robertson (7/10) – He was a constant threat down the left and wanted to make things happen but couldn’t.
Stefan Bajcetic (6/10) – The 18-year-old struggled against City’s dynamic midfield. He spent most of the game chasing the ball.
Harvey Elliott (6/10) – Struggled to impose himself in midfield against City’s more experienced trio.
Thiago Alcantara (6/10) – The 31-year-old kept things ticking but was not as influential on the game as he’d have hoped.
Mohamed Salah (7.5/10) – He scored in the second half but did not threaten as much as he could.
Fabio Carvalho (7/10) – The youngster was buzzing and got a goal for his efforts.
Darwin Nunez (6/10) – The Uruguayan missed three great chances to score. He still recorded an assist.
Substitutes
Fabinho (8/10)
Nat Phillips (8/10)
Naby Keita (5.5/10)
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (6/10)
Jordan Henderson (5.5/10)
