Gerrard was dropping deep in front of the back-four, looking to release Liverpool's front three. One pass found Luis Suarez, who tricked his way past Gael Clichy and was heading towards goal until Joleon Lescott intercepted. Liverpool's pressing was creating opportunities, although Suarez miskicked horribly and then fired wide.
City responded, taking the lead after 23 minutes with a goal full of pace and style. From a throw-in, City attacked quickly, the ball transferred elegantly by Silva to the energetic Milner, who rushed down the inside-left corridor towards the bye-line. Milner's cross was low and firm, the space opened up by Daniel Agger who was too deep, playing Dzeko onside. The Bosnian met Milner's cross emphatically, sending it first-time past Reina.
If that goal was against the run of play, City felt Liverpool's equaliser was against the spirit of the game. Dzeko went down under a challenge from Agger, and lay there in Liverpool's half as the visitors disappeared upfield. City fans bayed for the referee Anthony Taylor to blow up for a foul and for Liverpool to put the ball out but Gerrard, Johnson and others kept the move going. It was not a head injury, Taylor did not deem Agger's challenge a foul and the referee clearly felt that Dzeko was not injured. The painful lesson to City was simple: play to the whistle.
City players were clearly waiting for Liverpool to stop but Gerrard worked the ball to Sturridge. Down came that left foot, sending the ball at speed past Hart from 25 yards. Sturridge refused to celebrate a fine goal against his old team. Down the other end, Dzeko climbed to his feet. Milner had a few choice words for the assistant referee, Andy Halliday.
City seemed distracted at the equaliser and the manner in which it was scored. Zabaleta almost conceded an own goal in a terrible mix-up with Hart, playing the ball past the onrushing keeper and relieved to see it slip just wide. Hart then showed more composure in dealing with a Suarez shot.
As Taylor and his assistants left the field at the break, some City fans booed the officials. During the interval, the Etihad DJ played "Higher State of Consciousness", but it was a higher state of concentration that the home side required. They looked unconvincing without the injured Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure, who was away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Liverpool kept raiding past blue shirts. Stewart Downing set up Suarez but Lescott cleared. Then there was another sign of the rapidly burgeoning understanding between Suarez and Sturridge. The Uruguayan sent the Englishman running into the area and controversy ensued.
Sturridge got ahead of Lescott and the City defender's left leg made the slightest of contact with Sturridge. It was minimal, certainly not enough to warrant the subsequent tumble by Sturridge, who was promptly cautioned by Taylor.
Jamie Carragher followed Sturridge into the book after a man-and-ball challenge on Aguero. Liverpool were imposing themselves in every sense. Then came Gerrard, seizing on Clichy's clearance and driving the ball past Hart, the strike carrying echoes of his goal for England against Germany in Munich in 2001.
Liverpool seemed in control. Gerrard lifted in a free-kick and Sturridge headed just wide. But Mancini's tactical changes were working, moving to three at the back and giving City more strength in the centre. Maicon and Aleksandar Kolarov were now wing-backs. With 12 minutes remaining, City made it 2-2 when Aguero struck one of the finest goals in recent Premier League history.
Reina was undoubtedly at fault, rushing to his left in an attempt to close down Aguero when he had defenders around. It was an inexplicable decision by an experienced goalkeeper, who then failed to make a tackle. Aguero still had so much to do but he made light of the tight angle with a wonderful finish from outside the box.
City went hunting the winner but it was Liverpool who came closest. Hart saved from Sturridge but nobody deserved to lose this memorable match.
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