Liverpool weathered a late fright to remain on pace for a historic quadruple after defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
If last Sunday’s Premier League encounter between the teams was a classic, this semi-final was practically settled in the opening 45 minutes, when Liverpool took a 3-0 lead thanks to a combination of ruthless finishing and Manchester City errors.
With a dearth of strength City were unable to recover as Liverpool advanced to the FA Cup final after winning the Carabao Cup – as well as qualifying for the Champions League’s last four and finishing second in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola, who was unable to start Kevin de Bruyne and was without Kyle Walker due to injury, picked Zack Steffen in goal over Ederson, a decision that backfired catastrophically.
Steffen though ?
(via @EmiratesFACup) pic.twitter.com/bKijng9nND
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 16, 2022
Ibrahima Konate had already put Liverpool ahead after nine minutes when Steffen miscontrolled in his six-yard area, enabling Sadio Mane to pounce.
Mane beat Steffen with a precise volley at the end of a magnificent Liverpool build-up to put Jurgen Klopp’s side in perfect possession at the interval, but Jack Grealish scored early in the second half and Alisson twice made key saves from Gabriel Jesus as this semi-final erupted.
? That technique from Sadio Mane!
?: @EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/s4cAhNlL7n
— GiveMeSport (@GiveMeSport) April 16, 2022
Bernardo Silva pulled another one back at the start of a tight stretch of stoppage time, but Liverpool survived to play either Chelsea or Crystal Palace in the final on 14 May, when they meet at Wembley on Sunday.
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