Full Time: Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in a decade after beating Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s side went into the quarter-final second-leg clash leading the tie 3-0 on aggregate but had the worst possible start with Gabriel Jesus netting in the second minute to throw life into the tie.
City were all over Liverpool in the first half. Leroy Sane’s goal was then disallowed for offside and Pep Guardiola was sent to the stands for reacting angrily to the referee’s decisions. The Reds scored twice in the second half to secure a staggering 5-1 aggregate scoreline.
Mohamed Salah, who missed the Merseyside derby due to a groin injury, effectively killed the fixture with a fantastic finish in the 56th minute before Roberto Firmino capitalised on Nicolas Otamendi’s mistake and rolled the ball past Ederson in the 77th minute to send Liverpool through to the semi-finals.
Liverpool Player ratings
Loris Karius – 6/10
Karius had no chance of stopping the goal but otherwise, he was solid with his handling and distribution. Got lucky with the disallowed goal in the first-half.
Trent Alexander-Arnold- 8/10
Alexander-Arnold was immense against the nippy Leroy Sane for the second time in a week. The right-back gave very little room for Sane to create chances and coped with the German’s pace impressively.
Virgil Van Dijk- 7/10
The Dutchman was at fault for Jesus’ goal as he failed to play for the whistle. He endured a few shaky moments but gradually settled down well to keep the City attackers at bay.
Dejan Lovren – 9/10
Lovren perhaps produced one of his best ever performances in a Liverpool shirt. When the Reds were under pressure after conceding an early goal, the Croatian kept his focus and temperament, barring one reckless lunge on Sterling. He made some fine tackles, cleared the ball with confidence, showed composure in dangerous areas. A colossal show!
Andy Robertson – 6/10
Didn’t enjoy much going forward as he had to continuously defend against the tricky Bernardo Silva. In the second half, Robertson enjoyed freedom going forward after Salah killed the tie.
Gini Wijnaldum- 7/10
Wijnaldum was very poor in the first half as he got completely dominated by City’s midfield. However, after the interval, he came back to life, making some crucial interceptions and blocks before playing a key role in Salah’s equaliser.
James Milner – 8/10
Milner was bossed in the first-half, just like his teammates but showed great energy and desire in the second half to help the Reds seal a Champions League semi-final berth. His experience played a vital role on such a night.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6/10
Chamberlain was a mere disappointment in the first half but improved after the break. He showed plenty of energy and desire in the midfield but he was just not at his imperious best.
Mohamed Salah – 7/10
Salah barely touched the ball before the break. He was shifted to a central position midway through the first half and that move worked wonders as the Egyptian netted after the interval to take the game away from City’s grasp.
Despite being not at his best, he found a way to score and made the difference when it was most needed.
Sadio Mane – 7/10
Mane was an impressive attacking threat and worked diligently. He burst through in the lead up to Salah’s leveller and was a constant menace for the City defenders to deal with.
Roberto Firmino- 7/10
Firmino clearly was not at his best but he delivered the goods with an inch-perfect finish to earn Liverpool the win. His work-rate was spectacular as always.
Substitutes
Ragnar Klavan- 5/10
Came on in place of Firmino when the game was done and dusted.
Nathaniel Clyne- 5/10
Came on in the 81st minute.
Danny Ings – N/A
Replaced Salah right at the end.
