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• ‘Whispers about change after one defeat is ludicrous’
• Gerrard claims he has no problem with City’s Roberto Mancini

Steven Gerrard has described criticism of Kenny Dalglish following Liverpool’s defeat at Bolton as “absolutely ludicrous” and said he harbours no ill-feeling towards Roberto Mancini before Wednesday night’s Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City.

Liverpool go into the game with a 1-0 advantage courtesy of Gerrard’s penalty but also on the back of their worst performance since Dalglish returned as manager 12 months ago. Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at the Reebok prompted an uncharacteristic verbal attack on the team from the manager and questions have been asked of his ability to lead the club back into the Champions League after a run of six points from six league games.

An incredulous Gerrard said: “Change happens at football clubs year in and year out because everyone is desperate for success. Change happens all the time. But the few whispers about a change of manager after one defeat is ludicrous to me. It’s absolutely ludicrous and I take no notice of that at all. The thing that needs to change is the people who are here need to try and not put in performances like the one against Bolton and get back to the way we’ve been 95% of the time under Kenny, which has been very good.”

Liverpool’s first leg with City, two weeks ago, ended with Gerrard confronting Mancini while the Italian was in the middle of a radio interview. The City manager claimed Glen Johnson should have been sent off for a two-footed challenge on Joleon Lescott and was accused of hypocrisy by the Liverpool captain, having previously condemned Wayne Rooney for calling for Vincent Kompany’s dismissal against Manchester United in a Cup tie.

But Gerrard said: “It was more of a heated conversation. It wasn’t an argument or a head-to-head duel or anything. I’d read his comments where he was criticising Wayne Rooney for waving cards and he was waving the cards at Glen Johnson. It wasn’t an argument, I just thought I’d tell him that he was wrong.

“These things happen but I’ve got total respect for Mancini for what he achieved as a player and for the job he’s doing at Man City. I’m not really interested in myself and Mancini. I’m just interested in getting a result. But there are certainly no hard feelings between me and him.”

Despite Liverpool’s lead and City’s problems in attack, Gerrard admits the home side cannot risk a containment policy against the Premier League leaders. “That is the danger – going into the game thinking that we’re 1-0 up and that we need to protect that lead. We need to start at 0-0 in our minds and go out to try and win the game. Against Bolton we probably had one player, Craig Bellamy, who could be satisfied with his performance. Against City we need 11, otherwise we won’t be going to Wembley.”

Steven GerrardLiverpoolRoberto ManciniKenny DalglishAndy Hunter
guardian.co.uk

• Manchester City manager and Liverpool captain argue
• Glen Johnson tackle on Joleon Lescott at issue

Manchester City’s second home defeat in four days ended in acrimony on Wednesday night as Steven Gerrard and Roberto Mancini argued in the tunnel. The Italian had asserted that Glen Johnson should have been sent off in the closing moments of the Carling Cup semi-final.

Gerrard, the Liverpool captain whose first-half penalty secured a 1-0 first-leg lead for Kenny Dalglish’s team, accused the City manager of double standards, for demanding a red card for Johnson having condemned Wayne Rooney for doing likewise before Vincent Kompany was sent off in the FA Cup defeat by Manchester United on Sunday.

Kompany’s absence was sorely felt by City as his replacement, Stefan Savic, conceded the decisive penalty with a foul on Daniel Agger. But it was Johnson’s late challenge on Joleon Lescott that provided controversy. The Liverpool defender won the ball with both feet off the floor, leaving the City manager aggrieved that the same letter-of-the-law interpretation that led Chris Foy to dismiss his captain on Sunday – and resulted in a four-game ban for Kompany – was not applied by Lee Mason.

Ironically Kompany, defending himself on Facebook before the game, had asked: “I wonder though if we are now going to see an unprecedented wave of red cards on match days because we sanction ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’?”

Gerrard denied Mancini’s complaints that Johnson’s tackle was more dangerous than the one committed on Nani by the City captain. “I don’t think so. It was a clear winner of the tackle,” said the Liverpool captain. “I’m surprised at Mancini. He had a go at Wayne Rooney last week for trying to get one of his players sent off. Now he’s trying to get one of our players in trouble. I don’t think that’s right.”

Gerrard aired his view directly to Mancini, who said: “It was worse, this tackle was worse. Johnson’s tackle was worse than the one Vinny did against United. Everyone can see this. It was worse. Gerrard came to me and said, ‘You said this.’ Gerrard can say what he wants. No problem. The world is going down because people do not apologise. I make a mistake and I apologise. I say what I think and it is not important what Steven Gerrard and other players say.”

City, having gone unbeaten at home in 2011, have lost twice in cup competitions in four days, with Liverpool becoming the first away team to keep a clean sheet here this season. Dalglish, who said he did not see Johnson’s challenge, said: “We gave two different performances in each half. In the first half we looked a lot more threatening but in the second, after getting the goal advantage, we just battened down the hatches. Not too many teams have come here and not had goals against them, so it’s a fantastic effort by us.

“It wasn’t the prettiest performance, but it didn’t fall short in terms of desire or commitment in any shape or form. Once we got ourselves in front, we were determined not to lose it. We might have a slight advantage with the goal, but there will be nobody jumping through hoops at our place. We’ll just be as professional as we can at our place.”

Mancini bemoaned a lack of cutting edge from a City team who missed the injured David Silva and saw Mario Balotelli limp off with a suspected ankle injury after 39 minutes. The City manager said: “The first half we didn’t play well. After six months that can happen. But in the second half Liverpool did not pass the middle of the pitch. We had chances but didn’t score but we knew before the game it would be difficult.

“It is difficult because we were without three or four players. The result is not right. For me it was a draw. We played two difficult games. I knew that was going to happen. January is going to be an important month but I think in both games we didn’t deserve to lose. The second leg is going to be difficult. Liverpool are favourites because they won 1-0 away.”

Gerrard echoed Dalglish’s view that the semi-final was finely poised for the second leg, at Anfield on 25 January.

“It is good to be back. I feel like a footballer again,” said Gerrard of his second successive start. “It’s games like this I have missed and games like this I have worked to get back so hard for. We defended well from back to front. We were playing one of the big powers in world football. There is no way this game is over yet and it is set up nicely for the game at Anfield.”

Carling Cup 2011-12LiverpoolManchester CitySteven GerrardRoberto ManciniCarling CupAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk

• Manchester City coach criticises Premier League fixtures
• Extra rest time ‘can make a difference’

Roberto Mancini has criticised the Premier League for scheduling the next round of fixtures in a way that means Liverpool will have two days’ extra rest before their away game against Manchester City a week on Tuesday.

Liverpool are at home against Newcastle United on Friday night and City face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon, giving Kenny Dalglish’s players close to an extra 48 hours to recover for the match at the Etihad Stadium. Mancini, who watched with frustration here as his team failed to score for the first time in domestic football this season, said that he was “not happy” with the Premier League for giving Liverpool a clear advantage going into their game against City and one that could impact on the title race.

“I am disappointed only because we play 1