Manchester City advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after defeating the defending champions Liverpool 3-2 on Thursday night.
2022 Carabao Cup
Result: Manchester City 3-2 Liverpool
Date: 22 December 2022
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Darwin Nunez was only the World Cup participant to start for the Reds, as goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander Arnold missed out while Jordan Henderson was named on the bench.
The Citizens got off to a lively start as Erling Haaland squandered a chance inside the first minute, before young Cole Palmer fired wide from six yards a few minutes later.
City would get their reward on ten minutes when Kevin de Bruyne sent a cross into the box where Haaland got ahead of his marker to fire home close range.
The away side weren't behind for too long as as Fabio Carvalho got the visitors back on level terms with sweeping finish after being picked out by James Milner on 20 minutes.
The end-to-end affair raged on as City should have restored their lead ten minutes before the break when De Bruyne teed up an unmarked Ilkay Gundogan, who fired straight at goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
The second half got off to a fiery start as Man City were back in front two minutes in when Riyad Mahrez found the far corner with a neat curling finish after some good work by Rodri.
The home side's joy was short-lived though as Liverpool were level a minute later when Nunez broke free down the left flank before teeing up Salah for the close range finish.
The pendulum swung once again as Pep Guardiola's side took the lead for a third time in the tie when De Bruyne's cross to the far post was headed home by Nathan Ake.
Liverpool had a great chance to pull level in the 71st minute after Nunez was played through on goal and with only Stefan Ortega to beat, the Uruguayan dragged his effort wide of the upright.
De Bruyne and Phil Foden did go close to adding their names on the scoresheet in the latter stages, but Kelleher and Fabhinho popped up with vital blocks as three goals were enough to send Guardiola's charges to the quarter-finals.
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