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Five Things We Learned: Manchester City 3 – 2 Liverpool (Carabao Cup)

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In their first competitive game back since the World Cup, Manchester City knocked out fierce rivals Liverpool in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, beating Jurgen Klopp’s side 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday evening.

An early first-half goal by Erling Haaland gave the Blues the lead, before that was cancelled out by Fabio Carvalho who converted from a James Milner cross.

Just after the break, Riyad Mahrez regained Manchester City’s lead with a beautifully taken goal, only for Mohammed Salah to grab Liverpool’s second equaliser a minute and 19 seconds later.

Then it was the turn of Kevin De Bruyne once again, after the Belgian whipped a delicious ball to Nathan Ake who headed past Caoimhin Kelleher at the back post for what turned out to be the winner.

Following the contest at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City found out that they will play Southampton at St Mary’s in the quarter-final of the competition.

Here’s what we learned from Manchester City’s World Cup return!

Manchester City are back!

As great as the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar proved to be, there’s nothing quite like Manchester City. The Blues along with Liverpool put on a spectacular show for all on Thursday night.

Many thought the game would be a slow and cagey affair, with both sides having a large contingent of players only just returning from Qatar. There was an understandable feeling both managers would take the opportunity to ease their players back into things.

Things couldn’t have been any further from that, as the game mirrored a basketball clash, with both sides up and down the pitch like a yo-yo. It was simply a wonderful watch.

Five goals, a Kevin De Bruyne masterclass, and progression for Manchester City into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. What more could us Sky Blue fans ask for?

Missed opportunities…

As good as City were, and scoring three goals against any Liverpool side is an accomplishment within itself, the hosts did miss several glaring chances that on a different night could have come to haunt them.

Cole Palmer, Ilkay Gundogan, and rather surprisingly Erling Haaland all were guilty of not hitting the back of the net, for the second time in the Norweigian’s case.

The wastefulness did come to bite Manchester City with the visitors equaliser in periods of the game where Pep Guardiola’s side should have been out of sight and with Darwin Nunez spurning two chances, on another day things could have ended up very differently – which would have been a great shame considering how great City played.

Normal Kevin De Bruyne service is resumed

Well, I’m actually running out of words to describe this man. He’s just simply the best. The best the Premier League has ever seen. Even for his ridiculous standards, he was unbelievable against Liverpool.

Many premature conclusions from outside supporters were drawn about De Bruyne following Begium’s early World Cup exit, phrases such as ‘can’t do it without Haaland’ and ‘a system player’ were strangely thrown around on social media.

But once again, Kevin De Bruyne shut them up with his performance.

Two assists doesn’t actually do him justice for his performance, with another five key passes and two big chances created – he was only a goal-line clearance away from grabbing a goal himself.

Rico Lewis is that guy

Excluding Kevin De Bruyne, Rico Lewis was perhaps Manchester City’s best player against Liverpool.

The fact an 18-year-old is even playing in the same side as the likes of Rodri, Riyad Mahrez and Erling Haaland is crazy in itself, but with him as a standout further enhances how much of a talent he is.

In Joao Cancelo-like fashion, Lewis stepped into midfield and was excellent on the ball with an impressive 87% pass completion rate as well as two accurate long balls and passes into the final third.

Even with Lewis’ on-the-ball abilities, his highlight of the evening came when he shrugged off and tackled Mohamed Salah as he looked to bare down on goal at 2-2.

He was immense against Chelsea in the last round and even better against Jurgen Klopp’s side in the next, and Manchester City should be very excited with Lewis’ future.

The quarter-finals awaits…

Finally, Manchester City have now knocked out both of last season’s finalists, and with Spurs and Arsenal falling to defeat in round three, only Manchester United remain of the Premier League’s traditional ‘Big Six.’

Even though they’d have fancied their chances at the start of the competition, City will be even more confident now with Manchester United and Newcastle looking like the only potential threats as they look to wrap up their ninth League Cup title.

Following on from the draw on Thursday night, Manchester City now know they will travel to Southampton in the week commencing the 9th of January.

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