Man City beat holders Liverpool in five-goal thriller to reach Carabao Cup quarters

Nathan Ake’s header proved decisive as Manchester City knocked holders Liverpool out of the League Cup in a dramatic 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.

This last-16 clash marked the return to competitive action of two of English football’s heavyweights following the World Cup break and their latest encounter was a high-octane affair.

Ten minutes later, the visitors roared back and levelled through a composed finish from Fabio Carvalho.

The frantic pace continued after the interval, with Riyad Mahrez putting us back ahead with a trademark curling strike into the far corner.

However, just seconds later, Mohamed Salah equalised for the Merseyside club again, tapping into an empty net after great work from Darwin Nunez.

Just before the hour mark, we took the lead for the third time, as Nathan Ake powerfully headed in from De Bruyne’s magical cross.

Liverpool, however, had an excellent chance to make it 3-3 when a superb ball from Naby Keita left the onside Nunez free down the right touchline.

But after sprinting clear of the City defence, Nunez, albeit from an acute angle, pulled his shot wide of the far post.