The Reds are still on the hunt for four a historic quadruple this season after securing a rampant victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at the Wembley Stadium in London. It was a clash in which Jurgen Klopp’s side’s squad depth shone through.
City had a way more difficult assignment in the midweek Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. The goalless stalemate in Madrid saw Pep Guardiola’s men paying the price with a couple of knocks to key players. The ill-tempered end to the match also tested the temperament of the players and the coaching staff.
On the other hand, Liverpool enjoyed the luxury of being able to rest and rotate most of the squad as they headed into the second leg against SL Benfica with a 1-3 aggregate lead. Although the Reds were tested at Anfield by the Portuguese side, they were never in danger of losing control of the tie.
As a result, Liverpool were certainly the fresher of the two sides that took to the field at Wembley on Saturday with Guardiola needing to make as many as seven changes in order to rejuvenate the squad.
However, the gulf in quality reigned supreme as Liverpool had the match wrapped up within the first 45 minutes. Ibrahima Konate headed in Andy Robertson’s corner to give the Reds the lead inside the first 10 minutes.
City goalkeeper Zack Steffen was guilty of being too casual and failing to replicate Ederson for the second goal. The ball got stuck under his feet following a simple back-pass from John Stones and Sadio Mane pounced on it quickly to divert it into the net.
The Senegalese then found a third goal after finishing off a superb move involving Thiago Alcantara and Trent Alexander Arnold with the outside of his boot from the edge of the box. Steffen was guilty of not having done more once again.
The Citizens came out roaring after the half-time break as Jack Grealish fired home in the 47th minute. Although Bernardo Silva scored in the first minute of stoppage time to set up a nervy end to the clash, Pep’s side were unable to force extra time.
Their only consolation will lie in the fact that they still have a one-point lead over Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
