Carling Cup: Liverpool 2-2 Man City (3-2 Agg) – Determined Reds Book First Wembley Appearance Since 1996 (Photos & Highlights)

Alan Duffy

25th, January 2012

11 Comments

By Alan Duffy

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City (Aggregate 3-2) – Carling Cup Semi-final – 25th January 2012


Liverpool came from behind twice against Manchester City at Anfield to secure a place in the final of the Carling Cup, and their first appearance at Wembley in 16 years.

City opened the scoring on the half-hour mark, courtesy of a 25-yard Nigel De Jong super looper, but the Dutchman’s strike had come somewhat against the run of play.

Indeed, Stefan Savic endured a torrid first-half in the centre of City’s defence, with goalkeeper Joe Hart forced into a number of superb stops. However, with the clock ticking towards half-time, Micah Richards was rather harshly penalised for an nigh-on unavoidable handball – with Steven Gerrard converting the spot-kick.

With Savic hauled off at half-time and replaced with Sergio Aguero, Roberto Mancini chased the victory and City once again look the lead on 67 minutes – Edin Dzeko prodding home Aleksander Kolorov’s superb cross.  However, the Reds did get their deserved equaliser just seven minutes later, when former City man Craig Bellamy pulled the old give-and-go with Glen Johnson and slipped a superb effort past Hart and into the back of the net.

So while Mancini and co. will no doubt be left bemoaning the performance of referee Phil Dowd, Kenny Dalglish and his charges will be preparing for the final against Cardiff City, i.e, Liverpool’s first Wembley appearance in a very, very long time.

The big question is, I suppose, whether or not the Reds will wear those dashing cream suits again on the big day?

Photos…

Highlights…

Photos: PA

Posted in League Cup, Liverpool, Man City, Photos, Videos

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11 Comments

  1. Josh says:

    First trip to Wembley since 1996? Are you not counting the FA cup final in 2006?

  2. Questionable says:

    A gift fixture for liverpool. Cardiff duely deserve to be in the final but liverpool are (were) a top flight team and if they cant beat cardiff there is no hope. Albeit i have a lingering feeling this is going to be Reading – Liverpool all over again

  3. mike says:

    Well done Man City, accepted defeat graciously, didn’t overplay harsh penalty, no tribal chanting from supporters. Made it a very enjoyable night. Really looking forward to an overdue trip to Wembley. Bellamy was magnificent.

  4. jon says:

    I hope Liverpool fail. Justice for the last 12 months which has seen any goodwill towards these fallen giants dissipate. Always an embarrassment sometimes a disgrace.

  5. Andy Carroll's Ponytail says:

    @jon: u sound bitter..

  6. Josh says:

    @Chris

    Ah my mistake

  7. Alex says:

    I loved the Kop singing you’ll never walk alone as their heroic team wasted time and kept the ball in the corner for a couple of minutes at the end.

  8. max says:

    The fact that Dowd raised both arms above his head in a ludicrous pantomime proves even 5 feet away he didn’t see the play accurately. Neither arm was above Richards head, in fact the one that the ball hit was lower than his shoulder. I hope it gets played back to him when he is with his FA bosses at his next assessment.He should be on Hackney Marshes not Anfield

  9. jon says:

    @acp not bitter at all mate, not a city fan. It’s just been a shameful year for the red half of scouseiland. A carling cup victory will be the polish on a turd I’d rather was brown.

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