Liverpool hang on against Man City to keep quadruple hopes alive in thrilling Wembley affair to reach FA Cup final

Liverpool were able to keep their quadruple hopes alive, but only just, as they edged Manchester City 3-2 despite a nervy late show.

Klopp’s Reds ran riot in the first 45 minutes to take a 3-0 lead, and looked unassailable, but still almost missed out on a Wembley return on May 14.

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Centre back Ibrahima Konate opened the scoring with his third goal in as many games before Sadio Mane netted a brace with the help of a horrendous error from City back-up Zack Steffen.

The American tried his best impression of City no.1 Ederson with disastrous results, seeing Mane follow up before the break to seemingly end the tie.

Jack Grealish gave Pep Guardiola’s men hope just after the half time with a fine finish, but City left it late to make things interesting.

Bernardo Silva scored early in stoppage time and City could have equalised, but the Reds just held on.

A heavily rotated City side improved in the second half, but their opening 45 was their most costly since they last conceded three, which was also against Liverpool in the 2017/18 Champions League.

Just two games ago the Citizens dominated Liverpool in a 2-2 Premier League draw at the Etihad, and Klopp was frustrated his troops haven’t given it their best against their title contenders yet.

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“I think City was really strong last week and we were not at our best,” the German admitted. “So I would like to see a game where we are at our best as well.

“It would be interesting, so let's give it a try,” he joked.

He certainly got what he wished for in a scintillating first half at Wembley, which left former City striker and marvelbet369.commentaro Trevor Sinclar worried about the bruising effect of a European clash against Atletico Madrid last time out.

“Have Atletico Madrid affected these Man City players?” Sinclair asked at half time.

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“Because I’ve seen them play a lot this season and I’ve never seen them so aggressive off the ball and doing silly things that get them into trouble.

“That’s the worst performance I’ve seen from Manchester City in a very long time and the worst thing is it [the score] could have been worse, it could have been worse, Liverpool have been top quality.”

Departing captain Fernandinho escaped with just a yellow after he went flying in on Mane in the 57th minute, and Sinclair wasn't impressed.

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“It was 100 per cent out of control," he said. ";He doesn’t get anywhere near the ball, the contact wasn’t that dangerous but he’s totally out of control."

Liverpool seemed to settle after Grealish's goal, but the most chaotic of stoppage times could have gone either way.

It eventually went Klopp's though, with the German able to run over to his adoring fans and provide the trademark fist pumps they'd all been hoping for.