Liverpool FC face a daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day, but they will be buoyed by some excellent results there over the years. Henry Jackson picks his top five Man City vs Liverpool clashes.
MAN CITY 1-4 LIVERPOOL- 2nd December 1989
In what was Liverpool last title-winning season, back in 1989/90, Kenny Dalglish‘s side produced an emphatic victory at Maine Road.
City, managed by former Everton boss Howard Kendall at the time, were taken apart on the day, thanks to two goals from Ian Rush and further efforts from Steve McMahon and Peter Beardsley.
MAN CITY 0-3 LIVERPOOL- 28th September 2002
Michael Owen had been suffering a poor run of form prior to this Premier League clash, but the young Englishman responded to his critics in great style.
He struck from close-range early on to net his first league goal of the season in open play, and continued his torment of the City defence in the second half. He finished clinically from Steven Gerrard‘s pass in the 64th minute, before completing his hat-trick via the same teammate in the dying moments.
MAN CITY 2-3 LIVERPOOL- 5th October 2008
The Reds were terrific in the 2008/09 season, and this dramatic victory at the then City of Manchester Stadium was one of the highlights of the campaign.
Stephen Ireland and Javier Garrido stunned Rafa Benitez’s side, giving them a 2-0 half-time lead, before a monumental turnaround.
Fernando Torres struck twice to bring the scores level, while Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a poor challenge on Xabi Alonso. Dirk Kuyt, the man for the big occasion, sent the travelling fans wild with a stoppage time winner, after the ball fell invitingly to the Dutchman.
MAN CITY 0-1 LIVERPOOL- 11th January 2012
Liverpool took a 1-0 lead into the second leg of this Carling Cup semi-final clash, and produced a terrific performance to ensure they made it through to the showcase event at Wembley.
Gerrard had scored the only goal, from the penalty spot, in the first leg, and he repeated the same feat here, converting early on after Daniel Agger was fouled by Stefan Savic. Dalglish’s men never looked in too much trouble, and made it through to the final thanks to a 2-0 aggregate win.
They would go on to beat Cardiff in the final to win their first trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2006.
MAN CITY 2-2 LIVERPOOL- 3rd February 2013
The most recent clash between the two sides was a fantastic advert for the Premier League, and a share of the spoils was a fair result on the day.
Edin Dzeko gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half, but City old boy Daniel Sturridge levelled the scores with a tremendous strike soon after.
Gerrard fired a trademark stunner past Joe Hart to give the Reds the lead after 73 minutes, but they couldn’t quite hold on for all three points. Sergio Aguero’s outrageous effort from a tight angle made it 2-2, and that’s how it remained.
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