By Ken Andrew
kennyandrewmuganda@gmail.com
Manchester City and Liverpool treated fans to a thriller at the Etihad on Thursday in the Carabao Cup. City managed to edge their bitter rivals 3-2 on the night but the game was not devoid of quality. Fans did not have to wait for long for Erling Haaland to score as he pounced on a sublime Kevin De Bruyne cross to give City the lead in the tenth minute. Liverpool got their equalizer ten minutes later through Fabio Carvalho, who lost defender Manuel Akanji and guided the ball past Stefan Ortega in the City goal.
The second half got to a fast start with Riyad Mahrez netting two minutes in only for Mohammed Salah to get his first goal in the Carabao Cup a minute later. Liverpool had great chances to take the lead but Darwin Nunez had a poor night in terms chance conversion. City took the lead for the third time in the game after Nathan Ake got on the end of another De Bruyne ball into the box. City then managed the game well to give them their first win over Liverpool in five matches and seal a spot in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals.
With eight teams remaining, City are odds-on favourites to win the trophy. A win would give them their fifth trophy in six years in the Carabao Cup.
The quarterfinal draw took place after the match.
Carabao Cup Quarter finals (To be played on the week commencing January 9th)
Manchester United vs Charlton Athletic.
Southampton vs Manchester City.
Newcastle United vs Leicester City.
Nottingham Forest vs Wolves.