Carling Cup Semi Final: Man City loses first leg against Liverpool

12 January, 2012

Manchester City has lost the first leg of their semi final clash against Liverpool by a goal margin of 1-0. Gerrard scored the goal from a penalty kick. The second leg will take place at Anfield on January 25.

LIVERPOOL PUT up an impressive display at Manchester City’s home ground, the Etihad stadium, as Liverpool won the first leg of Carling cup semi-final. The score line for the game read, 1-0, with the lone goal being scored by Gerrard from the penalty spot.

After Gerrard scored early on, the reds made sure that there was no space for any of the Manchester City players to play their attacking brand of football freely. The penalty was a result of the relentless attack that the Liverpool players put up, and the goalkeeper Joe Hart was kept busy in the goalpost from the opening minute of the game.

Manchester City definitely missed Kompany on the defensive front, the flair of Silva, which could have given them the much-needed confidence for the clash, as these players have proved themselves to be their best players. Silva was injured and Kompany was suspended for the match, reported Reuters. Though Manchester City got some chances to score, Liverpool’s goalie, Pepe Reina was at hand to keep a clean sheet.

Hence the return fixture between the two sides at Anfield, which is scheduled for January 25, is going to be a cracker of a game, where Manchester City is likley to come out all guns blazing. They have already been knocked out of the FA cup, so they would be more than eager to not let this Carling Cup opportunity go waste. Reuters have reported that the winner of this semi finals clash will take place in either Crystal Palace or Cardiff City in the final at Wembley.