Manchester City v Liverpool - in pictures

When these two managers were pitted against each other eight days ago, Roberto Mancini defeated Kenny Dalglish in equivocal fashion. City were 3-0 victors, with goals from Sergio Agüero, Yaya Touré and James Milner. Yaya Touré has since left for the Africa Cup of Nations, while other key players like David Silva (injured) and Vincent Kompany (suspended) are also unavailable to City. That makes tonight's result rather hard to predict ... Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

City's fans seem to have forgotten that there's silverware to play for – the stands are noticeably vacant in patches Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

And it seems like the City players have forgotten too. Liverpool are dominating the opening exchanges and should take the lead when Andy Carroll turns his marker, Stefan Savic, on the edge of the box. But Carroll's shot lacks power and is easily parried by the keeper Joe Hart Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Savic is evidently the weak link in City's defence and when Daniel Agger collects a high ball in the box, Savic finds himself lunging desperately for the ball Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

... desperately late, that is. He clips the Dane on the knee and concedes a penalty Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

The penalty taker for Liverpool is Steven Gerrard ... and even though Hart dives the right way, Gerrard's effort is so precise and swift it is unstoppable Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

It's 1-0 to Liverpool and deservedly so Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

City desperately need possession, but Craig Bellamy is unwilling to sacrifice the ball to Gaël Clichy Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters

Poor Savic is having a forgettable evening. Here, Carroll beats him to a right-wing cross and does well to steer his header goalwards, but it flies a yard wide of the far post Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

These two may be England team-mates, but Gerrard hasn't exactly gone in lightly on James Milner. That could be a booking, but isn't Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

City's enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli has been on the fringes of the action tonight. After losing possession on the left flank he slumps over despondently, almost as if he's suggesting his enthusiasm for this match is waning Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters

Is he injured? Or is he just bored? It's hard to know with Mario, but Mancini is having no more of it. He substitutes the Italian before half-time and brings on Samir Nasri. Balotelli heads straight down the tunnel, so perhaps he was injured after all Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

In the second half, City's captain Micah Richards leads the line as the home side retaliate Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Liverpool's Martin Kelly causes his goalkeeper, Pepe Reina, a moment of discomfort when he blindly sends a backpass into the path of Agüero. But Reina stays on his feet long enough to stall Agüero, and the Argentinian's eventual shot sails over the bar Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

That was a big moment for City – a big moment that has gone begging Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Against Manchester United at the weekend, Kompany was red-carded for a two-footed challenge on Nani. But when Glen Johnson flies two-footed at Joleon Lescott in the closing stages of this match, the referee deems it to be fair. City are aggreived – the manager especially so – and his ire is heightened by the fact that Liverpool are able to hold firm thereafter to emerge with a first-leg advantage. Final score: 0-1 Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images