Manchester City faced off with rivals Liverpool in the fourth round in the Carabao Cup at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday evening.
The Premier League Champions knocked out holders Liverpool from the Carabao Cup in their return to action following the mid-season World Cup break.
Liverpool fought back twice but City were the victors and advance to the quarter finals of the competition.
Manchester City centre-back scored the winner through a header to secure the win for his side to beat holders Liverpool in a five-goal cup thriller.
The game was played at an extraordinary pace throughout the 90 minutes, but it was City who blew Liverpool away with their lightning-fast start. It took Erling Haaland just nine minutes to net the opener, following a pinpoint cross from Kevin De Bruyne, which was met with one of his trademark finishes.
Liverpool were struggling prior to the goal but gained control of the game for the next phase of the game and managed to equalize the game ‘out of nothing’ in the 20th minute. Joel Matip went on a run up-field before playing the ball through to James Milner. The English veteran then found youngster, Fabio Carvalho making a run into the box and the Portuguese rolled the ball into the bottom corner of the goal with a clinical finish.
It was then all City, and the hosts came close to regaining their lead in the 36th minute when Kevin De Bruyne found Ilkay Gundogan making a run into the box. The German was however denied by a brilliant save from Kelleher to keep the game at 1-1. The Reds held off several more attacks to enter the break one a piece.
Two minutes after the break, the hosts regained their lead of the match in the 47th min through a
delicate touch from Riyad Mahrez, before curling an effort past the Irish goalkeeper.
Moments later, Liverpool launched an attack from their kick-off and managed to level the game through Mohamed Salah, after he was unselfishly played in by forward, Darwin Nunez.
But, again, the hosts would take the lead once more in the 58th minute. This time through Nathan Ake heading his side into the lead, unmarked at the back post and getting enough power to send it into the back of the net.
Liverpool sent Darwin Nunez through on goal numerous times throughout the night, but the Uruguayan forward was unable to get any of his efforts on target and star man Mohamed Salah was denied any chances of drawing his side level in the game.
A frustrating night for the red half of Merseyside, a joyous one for the blue of Manchester, who will
now visit Southampton in the quarter final, as announced in the draw following tonight’s match.
Klopp’s men will now have a few days break before focusing on their next fixture, away to Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Guardiola’s side will face Leeds on the 28th of December, a longer break than Liverpool.
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