At the Etihad Stadium, the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final was being played here.
Mancini stood expressionlessly on the sidelines.
Yesterday, he had cursed Liverpool's three star players at the Ballon d 'Or award ceremony to be overly excited and expend all their energy in the celebration.
He did not expect that Comain would not only let Qin Xiong, Alonso, but also Gerard, who had just been released from his ban, play at the same time today!
And the three star players were full of energy on the field, showing no signs of fatigue at all.
Manchester City's strength had plummeted because Yaya Toure had been called up to play in the Africa Cup.
Although Nigel De Jong's defense as the defensive midfielder was also very reliable.
But without Yaya Toure's offense connecting the front and backfield, Manchester City's offense was disorganized after Liverpool marked Manchester City's offensive core, David Silva.
Liverpool, on the other hand, was able to continue to put pressure on their opponents with less defensive pressure!
The last time they visited the Etihad Stadium was at the beginning of the month. Liverpool's stamina was almost depleted in December and they were already at the end of their rope, so they could not conquer the stadium.
In today's EFL Cup match, Liverpool went all out on the attack and defeated Manchester City with two goals in the away game with Qin Xiong and Gerard's goals within 90 minutes!
Under the conditions of the home and away matches in the EFL Cup semi-finals, Liverpool took the initiative to advance to the finals.
The other semi-final was between the two weak teams. Crystal Palace defeated Cardiff City 1: 0 at home.
In addition to Qin Xiong's brilliant performance on the international stage this month, the biggest news in the Premier League was the news of the Gunners' King Henry returning to Arsenal from Major League Soccer on a short-term loan.
However, after the 21st round of the Premier League, Henry caused a lot of negative news.
First of all, Arsenal lost 2: 3 to Swansea City in the away game in that game.
This was the trigger for everything.
After the defeat to Swansea, Henry had a conflict with a Gunners fan who had insulted Arsenal.
Arsenal scored a goal in the lead, but they were eventually overtaken by Swansea 3 – 2. After the game, Henry led the Arsenal players to thank the 2,000 Gunners fans who had accompanied the team to Wales, but he was angered by a Gunners fan who had insulted Arsenal.
Henry not only yelled at the fan who insulted Arsenal, but also made a gesture, "Come and scold me if you have the guts."
Later, Henry apologized to the Arsenal fans through The Sun.
In an interview with The Sun, Henry admitted that he had lost his cool.
"I'm shocked and disappointed by everything that happened on Sunday, not just the result. After the referee blew the final whistle of that very difficult game, I insisted that the whole team go and thank the Arsenal fans and applaud them in appreciation. When I reached our own fans' stand, I couldn't believe that it was one of them who had insulted the whole team.
What I want to tell the fans is that we need their support, not their abuse. It's understandable to have emotions, but there may be a better way to express them. Therefore, I'm willing to be the first to stand up and apologize for using inappropriate language, especially to the Arsenal fans. I didn't use malicious or threatening words, but I've realized that I should have used a calmer way.
This club has had some great moments, but the important thing is that we are still closely united. When the team is in a good phase, we need your support, but when the team is in a bad phase, your support is more important to the team. Let's focus on Sunday's game against Manchester United, try to get the three points, and get this season back on track. "
It seemed that after Robin van Persie's misfire, the "return" of Henry, the king of the Gunners, could not bring Arsenal a consistent victory.
Manchester United steadily won all three points at Old Trafford, defeating Bolton Wanderers, whom they hated so much, by 3: 0.
Chelsea announced their first signing of the winter transfer this week. They signed the England national centre-back, Gary Cahill, to strengthen the rear defensive line.
Then in the 21st round of the league, Chelsea played at Stamford Bridge and defeated Sunderland by 1: 0.
Manchester City's game against Liverpool was the last to be played. Manchester City came to the away game against Wigan Athletic. It was also a tough battle, but in the end, with David Silva's assist, Dzeko defeated Wigan Athletic.
Liverpool played at home against Stoke City, who defended with all their might.
Having just exhausted a lot of energy in the EFL Cup, Liverpool did not perform well at home. The team's overall operating speed was significantly reduced, and there were many mistakes. In the end, they were unable to break through Stoke City's fortress and drew 0: 0 with Stoke City at home.
After the 21st round, Manchester City caught up with Liverpool again, and their goal difference was more than Liverpool's, thanks to their crazy winning streak in the first half of the season, and most of them were the accumulation of more than three goals against their opponents.
Manchester City successfully reclaimed the top spot with three more goals than Liverpool.
Manchester City 48 points.
Liverpool 48 points.
Manchester United 47 points.
Chelsea 40 points.
Arsenal 36 points.
Finally, there was a week of rest and adjustment time. The Liverpool team could take a breather, and then sound the body's alarm to start a new round of the devil's competition schedule!
It was hard to imagine how much pressure Liverpool's competition schedule was!
Before December, it was fine. At best, they played one more game than the other teams in the process of qualifying for the EFL Cup.
But the consumption of the FIFA Club World Cup in December, the EFL Cup in January, and the FA Cup task made it difficult for them to have a good rest and adjust.
Comain did his best to rotate the lineup, but the price was obvious. Otherwise, Liverpool would never be on par with Manchester City in the standings. They would definitely have a chance to shake off Manchester City.
In the 22nd round of the Premier League, Liverpool played against Bolton Wanderers.
The team's elite players were all sent out. Comain put Suarez on the bench for insurance when he had just recovered from his injury.
Qin Xiong took on the responsibility of scoring goals.
With the efforts of the whole team, Qin Xiong scored a hat-trick of headers and kicks at the Reebok Stadium, helping the team beat Bolton Wanderers 4: 1 in the away game to take all three points.
In another focal battle in the same round, Manchester City fought fiercely against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium until the fifth minute of injury stoppage time in the game. Balotelli miraculously scored a winner, helping Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 3: 2 to take all three points.
Although Liverpool was still suppressed by Manchester City in the standings, the goal difference had been reduced to one goal.
Chelsea's results were still unstable. In the away game against the newly promoted Manovic, Torres was still in a slump and missed two excellent opportunities. Chelsea could only accept a 0: 0 result in the away game.
The highlight of the round was to be played at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal's home game against the Red Devils Manchester United!
Arsenal wanted to fight to return to the Champions League, and the Red Devils Manchester United wanted to fight for the title. Both teams could not afford to lose this game!
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