Manchester City FC

2.86

• 
  173

  44

  3.50

  Joe Hart

  Made a string of superb saves in the first 15 minutes, the pick of which came from a deflected Downing volley. Dived the right way for Gerrard's penalty but couldn't quite get to the ball. Had little to do in the second half but his saves may have kept City in the tie.

• 
  116

  51

  3.50

  Micah Richards

  Quite a sight when he bulldozes forward, injecting power and pace into City attacks. Brilliant athleticism but still makes the odd clumsy error.

• 
  36

  78

  3.00

  Joleon Lescott

  Appeared far less confident alongside Savic in the early stages as Liverpool took advantage of sloppy City defending. Improved as the game went on and was strong in the air against Carroll.

• 
  94

  183

  2.00

  Stefan Savic Flop of the Match

  If the Montenegrin is going to play like this in Vincent Kompany's absence through suspension, City may have an even bigger problem that they thought. All over the place positionally and conceded the penalty with an ugly, high challenge on Agger.

• 
  54

  72

  3.00

  Gael Clichy

  Solid defensively, both at left-back and right-back, but offered little going forward as City searched for an equaliser.

• 
  40

  84

  3.00

  James Milner

  Always happy to demand the ball and start City attacks - but lacked a killer pass in the final third.

• 
  26

  89

  3.00

  Gareth Barry

  Happy to stay on the halfway line and try to start City attacks. Needed to show more drive and seemed to be worried about making strong tackles after his red card a week earlier.

• 
  33

  88

  2.50

  Nigel De Jong

  The Dutchman hassled and harried but was ponderous on the ball. His role became superfluous as Liverpool sat deep in the second half and he was replaced by Kolarov in the 72nd minute.

• 
  25

  119

  2.00

  Adam Johnson

  A poor display from the England international. He didn't seem to know what his role was and made the wrong decision almost every time he picked up possession. Replaced by Dzeko in the 66th minute.

• 
  76

  94

  3.00

  Sergio Agüero

  A tough afternoon for the Argentine but his workrate never dropped as he continued to make runs for his midfielders. Best sight on goal came when he picked up a loose pass and rounded Reina - but blasted his shot over the crossbar from a tight angle.

• 
  45

  123

  2.50

  Mario Balotelli

  The combustible Italian looked like he would rather be anywhere else and was incredibly frustrated from the first minute. He was either going to get substituted or sent off - and it was the former as he was replaced by Nasri in the 39th minute after picking up an ankle injury

Substitutions

• 
  29

  97

  2.50

  Aleksandar Kolarov

  Played the final 18 minutes as a replacement for Johnson but was woeful. Almost every touch was a cross or shot that ended up in the back of the stand.

• 
  97

  92

  3.50

  Samir Nasri

  Replaced Balotelli in the 39th minute and looked the player most likely to break down Liverpool's stubborn defence. Forced Reina into action with one effort from the edge of the box and showed some impressive vision.

• 
  70

  77

  3.00

  Edin Dzeko

  Came on for Johnson in the 66th minute. Fired shots at goal from distance but didn't have the guile to open up Liverpool's defence.

Liverpool

3.27

• 
  259

  16

  3.50

  José Reina Paez

  Responded to his howler against the same opponents a week earlier with a far better performance. Solid saves as City took potshots at goal, including one excellent stop to keep out a Richards header. Tried to command his area and made a couple of good punches.

• 
  187

  53

  3.00

  Martin Kelly

  Handed a rare start and, on the whole, performed well. Good understanding with the rest of the defence but nearly punished for a loose pass in the second half that Aguero intercepted.

• 
  340

  22

  4.00

  Martin Skrtel

  A very strong display from the Slovakian, leading by example at the heart of the visitors defence. Dominant in the air and showed excellent pace and awareness, especially to snuff out balls played in the channel for Aguero.

• 
  539

  37

  4.00

  Daniel Agger Top of the Match

  The Dane would have expected a more difficult evening up against City's stellar strikeforce. Superb reading of the game and composed on the ball. Won the penalty after nicking the ball ahead of Savic.

• 
  246

  28

  3.50

  Glen Johnson

  The England international was selected at left-back and produced a solid defensive performance, forcing Adam Johnson inside into a crowded midfield. Looked slightly uncomfortable playing centrally for the final half-an-hour but did a decent job. Was fortunate not to be punished for a nasty challenge on Lescott in the final minute.

• 
  157

  56

  3.00

  Stewart Downing

  Offered an outlet as he hugged the left touchline in the first half and was heavily involved in the early stages, which included a well struck volley that Hart somehow kept out after a slight deflection. Replaced by Jose Enrique in the 59th minute as Liverpool went to five at the back.

• 
  172

  35

  3.00

  Jay Spearing

  Started the game well in front of the back four before being forced off with a hamstring injury in the 53rd minute. Replaced by Adam.

• 
  198

  43

  3.00

  Jordan Henderson

  A busy, energetic performance in central midfield. Seems to be growing in confidence by the game and showed some neat touches. Will only continue to improve playing alongside Gerrard.

• 
  432

  36

  4.00

  Steven Gerrard

  Liverpool's captain was in inspirational form and scored the Reds' goal with an excellent drilled penalty in the 13th minute. Provided energy and vision in central midfield and was always a goal threat, forcing Hart into action with a lovely curling effort from 25 yards.

• 
  214

  22

  3.00

  Craig Bellamy

  The Welshman's pace was always a threat for the visitors - although he didn't quite find the space he wanted up against Clichy. Looked tired in the second half before being replaced by Carragher 11 minutes from time.

• 
  162

  179

  2.50

  Andy Carroll

  You can't say he didn't try. The £35m signing has been linked with a return to Newcastle but showed he's prepared to fight for his Liverpool career. Unfortunately, he didn't have the quality to hold the ball up and relieve pressure, with the ball appearing to bounce off just about every part of his body during the 90 minutes. Glancing header in the first half went just wide.

Substitutions

• 
  190

  17

  3.00

  José Enrique

  Replaced Downing in the 59th minute and did his job as Liverpool defended deep and kept a clean sheet.

• 
  150

  29

  0.00

  Jamie Carragher

  Played the final 11 minutes in a hybrid defence-midfield role. Won a couple of strong headers.

• 
  144

  47

  3.00

  Charlie Adam

  Replaced Spearing midway through the first half. Appeared slightly off the pace with some of his tackling and showed few signs of his passing ability.