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In a thrilling match on Thursday, Manchester City defeated League Cup champion Liverpool 3-2, taking the lead three times before holding on to advance to the quarterfinals.
After Mohamed Salah had drawn even one minute after Riyad Mahrez had given City the lead early in the second half, defender Nathan Ake headed in what turned out to be the game-winning goal.
At the Etihad Stadium, Erling Haaland gave City the lead in the 10th minute with his 24th goal of the season in all competitions. Liverpool answered in the 20th minute when Fabio Carvalho finished a flowing move by putting in a pass from James Milner.
The two rivals who brought the Premier League title race to a thrilling conclusion last season played another fast-paced game, and as then, it was City who prevailed.
When it comes to the quarterfinals, they will go to Southampton.
Juergen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, argued that Haaland’s goal was illegal and bemoaned the League Cup’s lack of use of VAR technology prior to the semi-finals.
However, as has frequently happened in recent years of the match, Liverpool immediately fought back. Darwin Nunez made a lung-bursting run down the left wing to seize a pass and sent it across for Salah to tap in.
Ake rose high to head in a tempting cross from De Bruyne as City, not to be outdone, took the lead for the last time.
“We have VAR, the referees are used to VAR. The technology is here, why shouldn’t we use it?,” said the German coach.
“We worked hard, we did good stuff. It was not good enough for tonight but it’s City at their home ground, it will always be an incredibly difficult game.”
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