Manchester City vs Liverpool: Nathan Ake’s header sent last season’s Carabao Cup holders Liverpool out of the tournament in a five-goal thriller to reach the quarterfinals.
Erling Haaland, who hasn’t played any football competition since the beginning of the FIFA World Cup, wasted a glorious chance in the 3rd minute.
Haaland took advantage of Virgil van Dijk’s absence as Joel Matip and Joe Gomez struggled to deal with the Norwegian striker.
Haaland almost set up the opener for Cole Palmer in the 5th minute, but the midfielder missed a clear chance.
Haaland put the ball at the back of the net in the 10th minute of the match after receiving an excellent cross from the man of the moment Kevin De Bruyne.
His Carabao Cup goal against Liverpool moves his goal tally to 24 this season, and we are not yet into the half season.
Former Fulham attacker Fabio Carvalho cancelled out Haaland’s goal in the 20th minute after receiving a well-placed pass from James Milner.
Both teams had opportunities to go ahead before half time, but Caohmin Kelleher made a brilliant low stop to deny Ilkay Gundogan, and Darwin Nunez of Liverpool squandered two opportunities.
Two minutes after the first-half break, Riyad Mahrez put Manchester City ahead. But 47 seconds later, Mohammed Salah got Liverpool level after Darwin Nunez cut back on the counterattack.
An unmarked Ake scored a beautiful header in the 58th minute after receiving an excellent cross from the Belgian Kevin De Bruyne.
It was De Bruyne’s second assist of the match; the first one came in for Haaland for the first goal. De Bruyne, who experienced difficulties in the World Cup, is happy to be back home, where he plays at his best.
Nunez blew another golden opportunity in the second half, continuing his miserable start to life in a Liverpool uniform after the World Cup break. Liverpool would have won the match easily if Nunez had converted those chances.
Manchester City ended Liverpool’s five-match unbeaten record in the tournament and are linked to be favorites. Manchester City faces Premier League side Southampton in the Carabao Cup Quarter finals.
The quarter finals start on January 9, 2023.
Who Won The Man of The Match
De Bruyne got the highest post-match rating; he was a completely different player in the match with his ability to play different wings, and he seems to be Pep Guardiola’s most destructive weapon.
What Next For Manchester City and Liverpool
Manchester City travel to Leeds United on December 28, 2022, as they hope to catch up with Premier League leaders Arsenal. Guardiola wants to close the gap between them before it gets intense.
Liverpool will face Aston Villa on December 26, 2022. The Unai Emery side has been in excellent form, and the Reds will find it very difficult to stop them from winning.
