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23/12/2022 | 10:10am
Manchester Metropolis sealed their spot within the Carabao Cup quarter-finals as they knocked out holders Liverpool with a 3-2 win on the Etihad.
Erling Haaland marked his return to motion with a customary aim from Kevin de Bruyne’s cross earlier than Fabio Carvalho equalised for the guests.
There was a loopy begin to the second half as Riyad Mahrez curled in an exquisite aim to make it 2-1 earlier than Mohamed Salah pegged Metropolis again only a minute later.
Nevertheless, Nathan Ake was available to go within the winner from one other world-class De Bruyne cross, with Pep Guardiola‘s aspect now set to face Southampton within the quarter-finals subsequent month.
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Whereas it was a promising return to home motion for the Residents, with many wanting like they’d by no means been away, one man who disenchanted was Manuel Akanji.
As per Sofascore, the summer season signing would earn a surprising 6.0/10 score for his efficiency on the Etihad, which was the worst of any participant in blue, with Metropolis wanting much more defensively safe as soon as the Swiss defender was taken off simply after the hour mark.
Throughout his time on the pitch, the previous Borussia Dortmund man was plagued by Liverpool’s attackers, as he didn’t win a single floor or aerial duel, whereas he additionally didn’t contribute a single sort out, clearance or interception.
Contemplating he has averaged 1.6 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and one clearance per sport within the prime flight this season, it was shocking that he didn’t register any of those in what was an end-to-end sport on the Etihad.
His passing was additionally barely poorer than normal, as he misplaced possession on 5 events and registered an 89% success price, in comparison with the 94% he has averaged within the Premier League up to now this marketing campaign.
After a formidable efficiency earlier within the season, Guardiola dubbed Akanji “completely excellent” but when he continues to play as he did in opposition to Liverpool on Thursday night, he’ll quickly slip under Metropolis’s different centre-back choices within the pecking order on the Etihad, as he practically price the Residents with a woeful show within the Carabao Cup.