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Kenny Dalglish handed Steven Gerrard, Craig Bellamy and Andy Carroll starts, making six changes from the side that brushed aside Oldham 5-1. City were without their midfield maestro David Silva, however Joe Hart returned to his place in front of goal after being rested in the FA Cup against Manchester United. It was a move that payed off for Roberto Mancini, as Joe Hart kept the game within City’s reach and will have made the return leg at Anfield a very interesting one.
Andy Carroll nearly put Liverpool ahead on four minutes after turning City defender Stefan Savic. Carroll held off Savic and nearly slotted past Hart, but the England No. 1 stayed big and was able to palm the shot away. Several minutes later Stewart Downing rifled in a shot which Daniel Agger stuck out at, only for Hart to come up big again for City.
Agger was later hacked down by Savic leaving referee Lee Mason to award Liverpool a penalty, which Gerrard slotted cooly past Hart to give Liverpool the lead. It was Gerrards first Carling Cup goal of the season, and his third of the season. Gerrard also played out a full 90 following his second spell on the sidelines, leaving Liverpool fans and Kenny Dalglish pleased.
The second-half saw Liverpool revert to a defensive formation with Manchester City pressing hard the entire half, but Liverpool’s defense held true to their form despite a few mistakes. City’s Sergio Aguero was not at his most clinical in front of goal, but tested Pepe Reina late on with a brilliant header. At the final whistle though it was the travelling Kop who would stand and cheer, knowing their side has one foot inside Wembley Stadium. The Reds will play Stoke this weekend and then travel to the Reebok before the return leg at Anfield. Liverpool will want to keep their Premier League ambitions alive and Anfield will surely be buzzing following their recent Cup outings.
Tags: Andy Carroll, Anfield, Carling Cup, Daniel Agger, Etihad Stadium, Joe Hart, Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool, Man City, Roberto Mancini, Sergio Aguero, Stefan Savic, Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing
