Kenny Dalglish feeling the heat after a series of underwhelming displays by Liverpool in the Premiership was able to get a satisfying consolation in today’s Carling Cup match pipping City to the Wembley finals.
Nigel De Jong gave City the lead to level the aggregate. Phil Dowd then generously gave Liverpool a PK after deciding Daniel Agger’s shot had deflected off Micah Richards onto his arm. Steven Gerrard rarely makes a mistake from the spot and this was no exception. City again went up through Dzeko with Kolarov providing the assist before the heavily tattooed Craig Bellamy riding an indefatigable motor was able to hurt his former club fatally, rifling a neat one- two with Glen Johnson, past Joe Hart.
Liverpool drew the match but because of their 1-0 away win at the Etihad in the first leg booked their spot in the Carling Cup finals on aggregate and their first visit to Wembley since 1996. They meet Cardiff City, another club familiar to the well traveled Bellamy.