Liverpool v Manchester City - in pictures

So, a quick recap before kick-off ... Liverpool lead 1-0 from the first leg and are desperate for a trophy, any trophy; Manchester City are desperate for a trophy too, but not really this one. Liverpool can't stop drawing at home; Manchester City can't afford to draw tonight. Liverpool were hopeless in their last match which they lost to Bolton while City enhanced their title aspirations with a narrow win over Spurs. All in all, it's a tricky one to call Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

The only thing that seems predictable tonight is that Stevan Savic, the Manchester City defender, will be the worst player on the pitch by a country mile (unless Andy Carroll comes on) ... And so it proves from the outset as Craig Bellamy causes him to panic on several occassions Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Conversely, Joe Hart is looking sharp as ever tonight and makes fine saves from Bellamy and José Enrique Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

The Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, has every reason to look concerned Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

But before he can intervene, his Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong lets fly with a speculative effort from 30 yards ... Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Critically, De Jong loses his footing which helps him to wrap his foot around the ball and whip the shot goalwards. Pepe Reina, the Liverpool goalkeeper, is helpless as the shot finds the top corner of his goal. It's 1-0 to City after 31 minutes Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters

But within 10 minutes, Micah Richards is found guilty of handball when Daniel Agger's shot strikes him on his left arm. Penalty to Liverpool Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

The referee Phil Dowd waves away the complaints and indicates that Richards had his arms raised as the shot was made. In fairness to Richards, it was only the rapid deflection from his foot which caused the ball to strike his risen arm Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

City's goalkeeper, Joe Hart, tries to put off the penalty taker, who is his England team-mate Steven Gerrard Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

But for the second time in this cup contest, Gerrard nervelessly beats Hart from the spot Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

It's now 1-1 on the night and, therefore, 2-1 to Liverpool on aggregate Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

City haul off Savic at half-time. Richards duly drops into defence and on comes Sergio Aguero. In their new formation, City poach their second goal of the night - the Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko tapping in Aleksander Kolarov's low cross in the 67th minute. Extra-time is back on the cards ... Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Or at least it is until a slick Liverpool move between Glen Johnson and Bellamy in the 74th minute results in a chance which the Welshman swiftly dispatches Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters

That goal has put Liverpool back in command. Moreover, it's put Bellamy on course for a cup final against his boyhood club Cardiff Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

It ends 2-2 on the night, 3-2 to Liverpool on aggregate. The Reds are off to Wembley for a cup final for the first time since 1996. Wonder what colour suits they'll wear this time? Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images