Liverpool survive Manchester City scare to reach FA Cup final after Mané double

In the final analysis, it was impossible not to zero in on the moment when Zack Steffen wished he could be anywhere but here and Liverpool assumed a vice-like grip on this FA Cup semi-final that it was difficult to see them relinquishing.

Poor Steffen. Pep Guardiola had wanted to show his faith in the backup goalkeeper but it all went wrong for the US No 1 and Manchester City in the 17th minute. Addressing a routine back-pass and under the usual orders to play out Ederson-style from the back, Steffen took a heavy first touch and, after some hesitation, an even heavier second one.

In flew Sadio Mané to tackle the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead and Liverpool were on their way to a final against Chelsea or Crystal Palace – and, they hope, the second element of an unprecedented quadruple. Liverpool’s dominance of the first half was total and it would get worse for Steffen when he conceded softly for 3-0 at his near post from Mané.

City responded in the style of champions in the second half, Jack Grealish pulling one goal back, and after Alisson made a save to deny Gabriel Jesus they hinted at the outlandish when the substitute Riyad Mahrez crossed in the 90th minute, the ball hit Alisson and Bernardo Silva turned home at the far post.

Guardiola’s side had the chances in stoppage time to force extra time as the latest clash between these rivals produced yet more drama. Fernandinho blasted high while Raheem Sterling shot low at Alisson but City had left themselves with too much to do. Guardiola made seven changes from the team that started the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Atlético Madrid on Wednesday night and one of them was Steffen. An abiding image would come after the full-time whistle when he sank