Carling Cup Review: Manchester City 0 Liverpool 1

Posted on 13. Jan, 2012 by Dominic Campbell in Match Reports

Liverpool took a step closer to the final after an early Steven Gerrard penalty was enough to ensure a vital first leg away win at the Etihad. Kenny Dalglish and the players will now take a delecate lead to their home turf were they will look to capatalise on their lead.

Overview

The talking point before the game was news that Kenny Dalglish and Andy Carroll had fallen out; leaving the striker open for a £10m move back to Newcastle. The rumours, however, were quickly squashed which allowed the focus to once again be on the game.

Manchester City had their own problems to deal with. David Silva injured his foot in training, while Vincent Kompany’s ban stood despite the club desperately trying to have it over-ruled.

And with the Toure Brothers away, Manchester City looked like they could be toppled on their home turf for the second time in days.

Team Lineups

Manchester City: Hart; Richards, Lescott, Savic, Clichy; de Jong (Kolorov), Barry, Aguero, Milner, Johnson (Dzeko), Balotelli (Nasri)

Liverpool: Reina; Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson; Spearing (Adam), Gerrard, Downing (Enrique), Henderson, Bellamy; Carroll

Match Report

Liverpool began this game much like they did in their recent encounter at the Etihad stadium. The away side dominated possession and were almost rewarded with an immediate goal after Andy Carroll ghosted past a hapless Savic, only to be foiled by a fired up Joe Hart.

Hart was again called to the rescue minutes later when Steven Gerrard curled a low shot toward the bottom corner, only for the England number one to be equal to the effort. However, if that save was good, the heroics from the resulting corner were nothing short of world class.

Steven Gerrard’s corner found its way to Stewart Downing on the edge of the 18-yard box, whose first time volley was was brilliantly saved after it took a deflection from Daniel Agger. It was looking like it may be one of those nights for the Reds, but third time proved to be a charm as Liverpool were awarded a free-kick.

Gerrard was once again in charge of corner taking duties. He cross seemed to elude everybody and find Agger, who managed to control the ball with his chest and poke the ball past an already commited-to-the-challenge Savic. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot and Gerrard stepped up to convert the spot kick with great aplomb.

Manchester City looked like a forlorn figure and were forced to make an early substitution when Mario Balotelli began to struggle. The Itialian’s performance got worse as the game went on and it became evident that the risk to play him hadn’t paid off at all.

City were reduced to only one real chance in the first half. Samir Nasri, on for the injured Balotelli, fired a low shot from distance toward the far post. The quality of the save, however, could only be appreciated from the replays as the ball skimmed accross the wet surface and picked up pace right infront of Reina.

As the half time whistle blew,Liverpool went into the break looking like good value for their money despite Jay Spearing being forced off with a hamstring problem midway through the half; Charlie Adam being sent on as his replacement.

In the second half it was city who came out the stronger side as Liverpool found themselves on the back foot.

And they were almost gifted a goal when Martin Kelly played a sloppy back pass to the feet of Aguero who was foiled by a Pepe Reina who was looking to make amends for his howler in the last game.

City continued to dominate as the half wore on but could not find their way through a resolute Liverpool defence. And the away side’s intent become obvious after Jose Enrique and Jamie Carragher came on to make the Liverpool back line six men strong.

The challenge was set. Liverpool would defend their lead while City hoped to force their way through a packed defensive unit.

The Citizens almost found a way back into the game when Micah Richards beat six defenders to a corner and powered a header goalwards. The home fans, though, were almost stunned into silence as Pepe Reina well and truly atoned for his mistake in the last game. The Spaniard made a truly world class save from point blank range.

As injury time came, City grew more and more frustrated as they seemingly ran out of ideas, with their night perfectly summarised when Sergio Aguero sent the last chance of the game sailing over the bar.

Advantage Liverpool.

Quotes

“We are pleased, we are halfway through but we now have another hard job with the 90 minutes for the second leg. Anfield is going to be rocking and that is guaranteed for any second leg of a semi-final.

“Our fans will be massively important and they are always with us. I’ve no doubt they will be with us in the second leg and it will be one of those magical nights at Anfield. Hopefully they can help us get through to the final.

“We have got to finish the job now after doing the most difficult part which is winning away from home at City.

“We knew it was going to be tough but we felt if we could start with a high tempo and take the game to them we could cause them some problems.

“We started very well and could have scored before we got the penalty when Joe Hart made some great saves. I thought we handled them well in the second half because we know how much quality City have got, especially at home, but we got the result to keep us alive for the second leg.

“We now turn our attentions to an important league game against Stoke on Saturday and hopefully we can get back to back wins.”

- Pepe Reina admits that all is still to play for in the return fixture at Anfield.

Stats

1 – Liverpool’s one goal victory at the Etihad was the first time this season that Manchester City have been clean-sheeted on their own soil.

6 – Liverpool decided to park the bus infront of the goal for the first time in living memory by playing 6 in defense in the closing stages.

Summary

Roberto Mancini has a lot of work to do should he hope to turn the tie on its head. Even a fully fit Manchester City squad would struggle to travel to Anfield and pull a win out of the bag. Liverpool still remain unbeaten at home and will be looking to further that record by earning a trip to the finals.

There is still a lot to do, but Liverpool have the upper hand. Game on!

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30 Responses to “Carling Cup Review: Manchester City 0 Liverpool 1”

sam charles - no spending in this window means no champions league

13. Jan, 2012

did i just hear that right!!!!!!?

NO PLANS TO SPEND IN JAN WINDOW? DEAR ME WHAT A DISGRACE..
can any body really tell, me that we have the legs and the pace and players with that quality without suarez for more games to even think about the top 4?

Not for me….. im staggered by the clubs plans and attitude, just the morning pepe reina is talking about the clubs ‘s main aim and thats to get champions league football.

Do you really think suarez and reina will stay if not- not for me.
Leo

13. Jan, 2012

Sam, where did you hear that?
anfield rd dreamer

13. Jan, 2012

Sam I seriously doubt that and even if it has been said its more than likely a bluff to force selling clubs to lower inflated prices.
anfield rd dreamer

13. Jan, 2012

The tactics for the match were spot on surprised them in first half by taking the fight to them and attacking, really don’t think they expected that, took them till 43rd minute for first attempt and if it weren’t for cracking saves by Hart on Carroll, Gerrard and Downing/Agger we could have been out of sight by then. Second half they were always going to be out for blood, their match day squad cost nearly double ours we had no right to expect anything other than pressure in 2nd half but for most part successfully kept them out our area, if they’d equalized it wouldn’t have been end of world but got job done in brilliant display of tactical savvy by Kenny showing how you can take on a bigger (at moment) and better (for now) team on their own patch and come away with prize. 1st half score; check. 2nd half shut out; check. Also well done the fans for making it sound like a home game.
SAM CHARLES - PAY OUT FSG!!!

13. Jan, 2012

i maybe was thinking the same, but just in my view i would be shocked, yes its hard to bring in the very best of top quality, i know that, but there are many players out there that could be got to and maybe with a bit of luck we could have added that bit more pace and a finisher that could help us.

Suarez is out, we need to manage gerrard, people are upbeat to have hiom back and thats great but he has played only 1 full game in nearly a year!!!! he will need his body being watched and looked after, so at present he will not start each game?

carroll while looking better and playing with only a little more effort is not good enough in my view.

Downing has been poor for at least 2 months what does he do? runs and tsops then gives the ball to enrique and stand still, he bottles tackels too, i cant stand him.

Bellamy has been great but you saw v city that he was getting tired.

all in all we need to add and we know it, fans who dont think we need any one and the club that thinks we are good with what we have will be proved wrong – thats just my view?

my team v stoke
REINA
KELLY SKRTEL AGGER ENRIQUE
JOHNSON HENDERSON ADAM MAXI
KUYT CARROLL
anfield rd dreamer

13. Jan, 2012

Do think we need strengthening but won’t think its end of world if we don’t. We have 6 “attackers” if you like Bellamy, Maxi, Kuyt, Downing, Suarez an Carroll. Think for team balance we should really have 8 and for me Downing is our only natural wide player an Carroll our only out an out centre forward, everybody else is a versatile attacker, jack of all trades master of none, so that’s the two positions that I think we need one for each of, and if kuyt goes maybe another versatile player who can do both roles. My personal choices are Shaqiri for wing, Huntelaar up top and if Kuyt goes Sinclair. Don’t see that as unrealistic especially Shaqiri and Sinclair, Huntelaar maybe bit outside our reach but worth a shot.
truered

13. Jan, 2012

i agree with same we need to add at least 1 maybe 2 players this window.

my pal danny G has said there is strong rumours that we have tied up a deal to bring philippe coutinho from inter on loan….he said this last week. but at closer inspection this may only come to fruitation if tevez goes from city as its well known they have to free up wages ect to fit him in.
he didnt say this but i should think it could work that way but look out for that name.
also think we need dm cover maybe another loan would do the trick over a perm deal as we have jay and lucus in that area when back fit.
truered

13. Jan, 2012

ive got that mixed up lol ac not inter are in for teves lol my bad!
Pete

13. Jan, 2012

Sam, no Stevie?
sam charles

13. Jan, 2012

HOILETT should be brough in and so should;
lisandro lopez.

get on with it liverpool…………….
anfield rd dreamer

13. Jan, 2012

Hoilett won’t move till last week of window as Blackburn will hope for a bidding war but would welcome him he is great player who could become top class as he gets older. Not sure bout Lopez.
anfield rd dreamer

13. Jan, 2012

Truered inter set to resume Tevez negotiations next week AC have dropped out I’ve seen links with another of their young players Luc Castaignos similar to deal you’ve talked about for Coutinho, maybe something may happen next week. Both quality young players who could be truly special know Coutinho usually plays in middle but very capable on wing too and Castaignos is a very promising young striker. Both could do ok now and potentially amazing in future.
joy

13. Jan, 2012

my day has just been messed up with this quiet January stuff. LFC needs sorting out before the window shuts. in as much as we got all these strikers as mentioned, at time refreshment in the form of arrivals are good. we need a goal scorer, someone who can do nothing but score. we play good football and draw or loose cos we didn’t score and KD says what?. i hope KD does not fail cos he has everything to make him succeed but he is proving stubborn. WE NEED A “GOAL SCORER” WE ALREADY HAVE SOME CALLED ” STRIKERS”.
- Tony
  
  13. Jan, 2012
  
  You are quite right joy. Kd has become too stubborn to our detriment. Imagine kd publicly praising carroll when it is very clear to the whole world that he is the worst player in the epl. Again,since dalglish has stubbornly decided to destroy the career of kuyt at the expence of complete mediocres like henderson and carroll, it will be better for kuyt to go to another club where his services are needed. In our etihad victory the other day, our defenders had to put in 200% to cover up the mediocrity of adam and henderson in the midfield. These two were senselessly signed by kd to displace aqualani and raul. The dice is now cast for top four finish and, only the procurement of the services of a top class finisher can save us.we also need a top class dm. So, lets go for them. But, who can trust kd’s judgement.
truered

13. Jan, 2012

anfield rd dreamer yeh have just seen that on skysports news….it also says kenny saying no moves will happen as he doesnt feel lfc need anything or the player they need are’nt available.

both player mentioned are very good young talents indeed would take either tbf.
we defo need at least 1 addition in the forms of a pacey winger! id do feel lfc wont go empty handed in this window but wont over buy or spend huge amounts and loan deals or a under 10 mil buy is more likely and i wouldnt rule out hoillett
SAM CHARLES - HERE WE GO AGAIN!!! DEAR ME.

13. Jan, 2012

its not about when he oe she will move ! – its about being aggessive and going out and just getting it done.

Do you think every salesmen or big company thinks ” we cant win today or cant contact them today” – because they are not ready or they are not taking my call?? no way – you dont get anything done with a passive mentality in business – at time’s you have to go for it rather than it come to you!!!!

Liverpool are slow in the market again and i dont want to hear that we have done this and that, – thats in the past, its time to wake up keep going and get on with it, and i dont want to hear the rubbish that jan is to hard to add quality – load of crap thats just nonsense

we need a winger or at least a player that can run at teams and create that mess in the box, downing has been pure dogshute and we know it, – i dont mess abput there is no point dressing it all up, we need better than carroll and we know it….

GET ON WITH IT FOR GOD SAKE LFC
anfield rd dreamer

13. Jan, 2012

Sam unless you’re prepared to massively over pay nobody makes big transfers at start of Jan at moment blackburn will be demanding AT LEAST 15 million for Hoilett an yeah sure we could pay that an get him or in 2 weeks sign Hoilett an Zaha for that much money. We ain’t City we will invest but won’t have unlimited funds to do it. Think the important thing Kenny is hinting is nobody is available right now for what we are willing to pay, towards end of month those prices may well become more realistic.
truered

13. Jan, 2012

i agree sam we need a nani esk winger who is lightning fact and good with his feet and can assist and can cross.

as for the andy carrol comment a striker is only as good as his service? yes ? well for me carrol hasnt has much of this, good service anyway and how he wants it….gerrard will play a huge role in bringing goals to carrol.
downing has been ok not so much poor but i agree needs to do more to help carrol out and he needs to know that he isnt going to get told off he runs at players.
hendo for me is coming good every game, his vision has been good some great balls and he does keep posession well tbf.
but yeh with out a doubt winger that can switch is a must!!!! if we want top 4.
we only spent 43 mil on all our players sue to player sales so lfc will and should be shorting a move or 2
joy

13. Jan, 2012

made this point and will do again. Caroll can be good with service. our play is not that for caroll, we move the ball around but caroll is there to hit and head but how much of the ball has he got in the last much. people say he missed that chance but don’t forget he was up against England No. 1. he will come good after hard work and we will see the whole Lucas thing again. Caroll last year was just hitting them goals like Ba and people say we should have Ba?
anfield rd dreamer

13. Jan, 2012

Agreed truered Carroll has scored 6 goals for us an 11 for Newcastle last year 1 headed goal for us 3 or 4 for them, thats 12/13 out of 17 with his feet, so how come 95% of our passes to him are at head hight no matter where he is on pitch and whether he has anybody to knock it down to or not! Half the time they’re hitting them to him when he us 20, 30, 40 yards away from goal surrounded by their defenders with nobody within 20 odd yards, what’s he supposed to do? 30 yard headed goal? 20 yard headed knock down for somebody to run on to?
SAM CHARLES - PAY OUT AND GET ON WITH IT

13. Jan, 2012

facts are;

1 that downing has not scored or provided much of anything like what he should be doing

2 that carroll – whatever the reason is not doing it at all.

3 we are missing our two best players bar gerrard – lucus and suarez are missing and we just have not got the quality to be mising these type and expect to come 4th without further investment!

4 other frontmen are getting older and some cant play back to back games? – bellamy has to watch it with his knees.

5 kuyt is bang out of form?

6. gerrard is only just back form injury and we need him badly but we cant the start doing the stevie g show again and just rely on him yet again!!!

i dont care how much it takes, sometimes in life if you need something and then you have to pay out, its clear that in some stage of business or life- you have to just part with your money, you cant go through life looking for deals all the time and it doesnt work like that, stop penny pinching and get n with up for f*** SAKE.
anfield rd dreamer

13. Jan, 2012

If you need 2 players and have enough money for 2 would you spend all that money on 1 when you know youre being overcharged and the price will drop in 2 weeks? Guys like Hoilett will be sold this window but why pay double his cost now to get him for an extra 3 or 4 games? Patience is a virtue in all business dealings in all walks of life!
Leo

13. Jan, 2012

Sam, I so sick of you having massive fucking rants on here. Do you ever think something you don’t say?
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