Liverpool vs Manchester City a few quick thoughts
Dan Tracey
February 29, 2016
1,523 Views
- It’s Manchester City that get the first major silverware of the season and Willy Caballero who is the hero
- The understudy to Joe Hart was much maligned after City’s heavy defeat to Chelsea in the F.A. Cup 5th Round and there were calls for the England No.1 to be restored to the lineup for Yesterday’s encounter
- But again it seems as if Manuel Pellegrini was justified in his decision as Caballero made 3 spot kick saves
- The Final wasn’t a classic in all fairness, with the first half not really living up to the billing
- Both teams seemed cagey with Sergio Aguero’s effort hitting the post being the only real chance of note
- It was heartbreak for Mamadou Sahko who had to come off with concussion after a clash of heads, he was still on the pitch by the time that Aguero hit the post and Jurgen Klopp couldn’t afford to take anymore chances with Sahko on the pitch.
- He was swiftly subbed off for Kolo Toure and the Toure Derby was very much in full swing
- If the First Half was cagey, then it certainly opened up after the break
- First blood went to City as Fernandinho exposed Simon Mignolet at the near post to put them infront, another howler from Mignolet it must be said
- City were in the ascendancy and could have wrapped it up as Liverpool old boy Raheem Sterling missed two guilt edge chances to put them further ahead
- Liverpool didn’t give up and they were rewarded with their endeavour as Philippe Coutinho slammed home a dramatic 82nd Minute equaliser to take the game to extra time
- It must be said that Simon Mignolet did redeem himself slightly with a string of saves to keep the scores level, especially in Extra Time as he made a reflex save from Sergio Aguero
- With nothing to split the teams after 120 Minutes it went down to the lottery of Penalties
- It was Liverpool with the early advantage as Fernandimho’s effort came back off the post and with their record in regards to Penalties in this competition you felt it the trophy was going to Liverpool
- But then the hero of the day was called into action, Willy Caballero may have come off his line for two of the spot kicks but the infringements weren’t spotted and he still went on to make a trio of stunning saves
- Jurgen Klopp cutting a glum figure while watching the Spot Kicks on his own from the stands
- He was to be denied his first trophy as Liverpool Manager while has Manuel Pellegrini won his last as Manchester City Manager?
- A decent final in the end for the neutral but as always a cruel way to lose it
- For Liverpool now, the sole focus has to be winning the Europa League to try and get back into next season’s Champions League
- For City, can they now add to this League Cup win and use it as a springboard for Domestic and European success
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