Haaland scores as Manchester City beat Liverpool in the EFL Cup

• Manchester City played Liverpool in the EFL Carabao Cup at the Etihad on Thursday night
• Manchester City defeated Liverpool to book a place in the quarterfinals of the cup
• Erling Haaland was on target once again, and Kevin De Bruyne was in excellent form in the midfield

Kevin De Bruyne delivered a masterclass, and Erling Haaland scored his 24th goal of the season as Manchester City beat holders Liverpool 3-2 to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

It was the Premier League champions that rightfully prevailed in the first match following the World Cup between the two heavyweights at the Etihad Stadium.

In the opening period of a thrilling match on Thursday, Haaland scored first, but Fabio Carvalho quickly tied the score.

At the beginning of the second half, Riyad Mahrez gave City the lead again, but Mohamed Salah quickly equalized with his 15th goal of the year.

Manchester City players celebrate after Riyad Mahrez scored against Liverpool when the two teams clash in the EFL Cup. | PHOTO: Football 365 |

The excellent De Bruyne then gave Nathan Ake his second assist of the contest, and Jurgen Klopp’s team failed to respond for a third time, falling to City for the first time in six games.

After 10 minutes, Haaland scored the game’s first goal by going in front of Joe Gomez and volleying De Bruyne’s accurate cross into the bottom-left corner. Liverpool had been unable to handle City’s early energy.

The Reds suddenly found themselves on par. After James Milner picked him out in the penalty area ten minutes later, Carvalho calmly stroked the ball into the far corner.

Liverpool players celebrate after Fabio Carvalho scored their second against Manchester City in the EFL Carabao Cup. | PHOTO: Daily Mail/Reuters |

After being excellently put up by De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Ake were denied by Caoimhin Kelleher before Darwin Nunez missed again.

Just over a minute into the second half, Mahrez surprised Liverpool with a wonderful touch from Rodri’s pass before scoring. However, City’s lead lasted just 79 seconds as Nunez displayed incredible speed to go away down the left and selflessly set up Salah for the equalizer.

But just before the hour mark, Liverpool was penalized for another defensive error as they failed to defend a short corner, allowing De Bruyne to whip in an exquisite cross that Ake nodded in.

Nunez missed yet another excellent opportunity when, after racing through the defence and shooting wide of the far post, City held on to win the game.