Liverpool vs. Manchester City - Preview

Liverpool came from their visit from the first leg with a precious one goal lead, while keeping a clean cheet. That\'s for applause, they succeed to defend their goal in 90 minutes against the best side in the Premier league, esspecially at Etihad Stadium.  But the question is, were Liverpool so good in that first match or the Citizens had desperate performance in front of their fans? 

Starting with the first half, the Citizens shown less motivation and desire for win, they were moving lazy and their play was completely different of what we get used to see them this season. Liverpool took that chance and scored a goal that promices advancing in the Carling Cup, but we will see. The second half was quite better for the hosts, but the psychical domination was on the other side, helping them to survive defending their goal. However, at least in my opinion, this is the best result that can announce the most entertaining second leg, because clearly the Citizens are better than the Reds and if they won the first leg, it will give them too many chances to proceed in the final, while this results indicate that everything is still possible, the Citizens have enough quality to respond and bounce-back easily, but still the advantage is on the Liverpool side, team which is aiming mostly on this Cup because their ambitious for the Premier league title are already dead and the only thing that are looking for, and have yet to prove are they worth to be in the top four in the league. So, what can we expect?

Liverpool manager Dalglish knows well that defending another 90 minutes will be like going directly to the hell, while one goal, esspecially if that will be the first goal in the match will keep the Citizens ambitious on a distance.

On the contrary, Manchester City have failed to proceed in the FA Cup, so they don\'t have match to play this weekend. This means that manager Mancini will not save his power for another match and he will put his best eleven, maybe the same players that defeated Tottenham last weekend.

I expect an open play, highly motivated sides and a hope that the Citizens will score in the first half, so we can see an entertaining 90 minutes...