FT: LIVERPOOL 2-2 MAN CITY (AGG: 3-2)

Date: Wednesday 25 January 2012
Kick Off: 19:45
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Competition: Carling Cup Semi-Final Second Leg
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Broadcast: Sky Sports 1, 19:00


LIVE ARTICLE

http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/79616


Liverpool secured a 2-2 draw at Anfield against Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday night to book a first appearance at Wembley since 1996.

The Reds started the game on the front foot and looked to get an early goal to add to the one that they already had after winning 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium two weeks ago. But Joe Hart was in scintillating form once again and denied Liverpool a goal on numerous occasions throughout the match.

And it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play after 31 minutes. Nigel de Jong received the ball from David Silva before unleashing a great shot, despite losing his balance, and it nestled into the top right corner of the goal.

But eight minutes later, Liverpool were given a chance to equalise as Micah Richards handled the ball in the area and a penalty was awarded. Steven Gerrard stepped up and, just like he did in the first leg, drilled it low into the bottom left corner.

City made a half time substitution, as Sergio Aguero replaced young centre back Stefan Savic who was having a terrible game. Liverpool continued to control the game, but once again they found themselves facing the prospect of defeat on 67 minutes. Aleksandar Kolarov drilled in a cross from the left and Edin Dzeko turned it in from close range.

But ex-City striker Craig Bellamy scored what turned out to be the winning aggregate goal after he received the ball from Dirk Kuyt, before playing a one-two with Glen Johnson and slotting it past Hart.

The result sets up a final showdown against Cardiff City at Wembley, giving Liverpool their chance of a first trophy for six years.


LIVE SCOREBOARD

LIVERPOOL - 2 (3)
Gerrard pen 40'
Bellamy 74'

MAN CITY - 2 (2)
De Jong 31'
Dzeko 67'


PREVIOUS ROUND

Liverpool
Tuesday 29 November 2011
Carling Cup Quarter-Final
Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

Man City
Tuesday 29 November 2011
Carling Cup Quarter-Final
Arsenal 0-1 Man City


TEAMS

Liverpool
25 Reina
2 Johnson
37 Skrtel
5 Agger
3 Enrique
14 Henderson
8 Gerrard
26 Adam
19 Downing
39 Bellamy (Kelly 88')
18 Kuyt (Carroll 90+1')

Subs: 32 Doni, 9 Carroll, 11 Rodriguez, 16 Coates, 23 Carragher,
33 Shelvey, 34 Kelly.

Man City
25 Hart
2 Richards
15 Savic (Aguero 46')
6 Lescott
13 Kolarov
5 Zabaleta
18 Barry
34 De Jong (A Johnson 78')
21 Silva
10 Dzeko
19 Nasri

Subs: 30 Pantilimon, 7 Milner, 11 A Johnson, 16 Aguero,
20 Hargreaves, 22 Clichy, 44 Rekik.


KEY UPDATES

5: LIVERPOOL BOOKING
Steven Gerrard receives a yellow card (1) for a foul on Gareth Barry.

31: GOAL - LIVERPOOL 0-1 MAN CITY (AGG: 1-1)
David Silva passes the ball to Nigel de Jong (1) some way out from goal, and he strikes it beautifully into the top right corner of the goal.

39: PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL
Micah Richards handles the ball in the area and Phil Dowd points to the spot.

40: GOAL - LIVERPOOL 1-1 MAN CITY (AGG: 2-1)
Steven Gerrard (5) steps up and drills the ball low into the bottom left corner.

46: MAN CITY SUB
Stefan Savic is replaced by Sergio Aguero at half time.

56: MAN CITY BOOKING
Aleksandar Kolarov receives a yellow card (3) for a foul on Jordan Henderson.

64: LIVERPOOL BOOKING
Jose Enrique receives a yellow card (2) for a foul on Pablo Zabaleta.

67: GOAL - LIVERPOOL 1-2 MAN CITY (AGG: 2-2)
Aleksandar Kolarov drills in a low cross from the left and Edin Dzeko (15) meets it at the far post with a tap in.

74: GOAL - LIVERPOOL 2-2 MAN CITY (AGG: 3-2)
Dirk Kuyt passes it to Craig Bellamy (8), who exchanges passes with Glen Johnson before slotting it past Joe Hart.

78: MAN CITY SUB
Nigel de Jong is replaced by Adam Johnson.

88: LIVERPOOL SUB
Craig Bellamy is replaced by Martin Kelly.

90+1: LIVERPOOL SUB
Dirk Kuyt is replaced by Andy Carroll.


LAST MATCHES

Liverpool
Saturday 21 January 2012
Barclays Premier League
Bolton 3-1 Liverpool

Man City
Sunday 22 January 2012
Barclays Premier League
Man City 3-2 Tottenham

Head to head
Wednesday 11 January 2012
Carling Cup Semi-Final First Leg
Man City 0-1 Liverpool


TOP SCORERS

Liverpool
Craig Bellamy - 8
Luis Suarez - 8
Steven Gerrard - 5

Man City
Sergio Aguero - 17
Edin Dzeko - 15
Mario Balotelli - 12