Liverpool 4 Man City 2
Liverpool, with a place in the Worthington Cup final already secured, eased into the FA Cups quarter-finals with a comfortable 4-2 victory which included two spot-kicks conceded by City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver.
The first of those, controversially won by Vladimir Smicer and converted by Jari Litmanen, came after only seven minutes.
Manchester City manager Joe Royle was furious with referee Graham Poll's decision.
Royle said: "The last thing you need when you come to a place like this is an early goal against you and I'm sure the penalty wasn't a penalty. It'sa ridiculous decision."
The City boss was adamant the spot kick changed the course of the game, even though Emile Heskey doubled the lead six minutes later as Liverpoolthreatened to run riot.
"If you get to half-time and you've got a clean sheet then you can build on that and they've perhaps got to do a bit more," Royle said on ITV.
"They play on the break anyway, even at home, and they're never more dangerous than when you're round the edge of their box.
"You can't argue with the result - you look at the bench they had today with Fowler, Owen and Barmby on it and that shows the strength ofthem. But it doesn't help when they are given a two-goal start."
Andrei Kanchelskis reduced the deficit before half-time but there was rarely any evidence City could spring a surprise.
Smicer converted the second, more obvious claim and Markus Babbel headed the fourthbefore Shaun Goaterclaimed a late reply for City.
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier praised his players' concentration as they maintained their momentum after Thursday's memorable 2-0 UEFA Cupwin at Roma.
"I was pleased with my players because they are staying focused and keeping the same desire to do well," he said.
"It was a good win, very entertaining, and we have to give credit to Manchester City because right until the end they fought to stay in the game.
"I think we should have sealed it early in the second half but they kept trying. When we scored the fourth goal we thought it was over but theyscored another goal even then." -PA-