Manchester City vs Liverpool 0-1 Highlights 11th January 2012

By Michael Hudgen

In the much anticipated third Carling Cup clash on 11th January 2012 at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Liverpool won 1-0 over Manchester City on the first leg of their League Cup semifinal matchup. The host went into the game after being defeated 2-3 by Manchester United and hoped to response to the weekend loss; meanwhile, Wednesday’s visitors kept an excellent record of most tournament wins (seven), most appearances in the final (10) and biggest win (10-0 against Fulham in 1983). Furthermore, the Reds treated the Carling Cup with comparative seriousness and wished to rid the team of an almost six-year trophyless monkey on their back. Despite a plenty of opportunities created by the Manchester City from the beginning of the match, Steven Gerrard scored a penalty in the first-half to give Liverpool the advantage after the first leg.

Match Line-ups

Man City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Savic, Clichy, Milner, Barry, De Jong (Kolarov 72), Johnson (Dzeko 66), Aguero, Balotelli (Nasri 39)

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Downing (Jose Enrique 59), Spearing (Adam 23), Henderson, Bellamy (Carragher 79), Gerrard, Carroll

From the start of the clash, most of exchanges were established by the Reds but failed to pass over an exceptional Joe Hart. In the second half, the clash was a particularly drab affair when Liverpool formed a 6 man defence Jose Enrique and Jamie Carragher in attempt to keep City at bay. Manchester City kept their 4-2-3-1 formation and must take a few changes to their lineup due to the absence of Toure brothers who had left for the African Cup of Nations and Vincent Kompany who was serving a four match suspension. In the mean time, Liverpool took the 4-5-1 formation and surprisingly deployed Martin Kelly at right back and Glen Johnson switching to left back while regular left-back Jose Enrique was on the bench.

Roberto Mancini’s team and Kenny Dalglish’s team were pitted against each other eight days ago with City won over 3-0 victors thanks to goals from Sergio Agüero, Yaya Touré and James Milner

The Reds are dominating the opening exchanges of the match. In the picture, Carroll's shot lacks power and is easily parried by the keeper Joe Hart

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson, right, tackles Joleon Lescott of Manchester City

Manchester City vs Liverpool 0-1 highlights: Steven Gerrard is the penalty taker for Liverpool. His effort is so unstoppably precise despite the fact that Hart dives the right way

Steven Gerrard tangles with Gareth Barry of Man City during the Carling Cup Semi Final First Leg clash on 11th January 2012 in Manchester, England

Liverpool players celebrates scoring the opening goal from a penalty kick with his team mates during the Carling Cup Semi Final First Leg match on 11 January 2012

Manchester City performed without Captain Vincent Kompany – who begins his four-game ban after failing in his appeal against the red card received in last weekend's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United

Manchester City vs Liverpool 0-1 Highlights 11/01/2012

Related links:

Manchester City vs Liverpool 3-0 Highlights 3rd January 2012

Liverpool vs Manchester City 27 November 2011 Highlights

Arsenal vs Manchester City Carling Cup 29 November 2011 Highlights

About the Author:

John Stevens is an Internet marketer and freelance photographer. He likes collecting photographs of celebrities, posting breaking news and writing articles to comment on outstanding events in the field of entertainment.

Articles Source: Manchester City vs Liverpool 0-1 Highlights 11th January 2012

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