Mancini - City can recover

Roberto Mancini insists Manchester City will recover from their recent wobble after going down 1-0 to Liverpool in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.

Just days after crashing out of the FA Cup at home to bitter rivalsManchester United, Mancini's men were beaten by Steven Gerrard's first-half penalty.

The Reds were well on top in the first period, with Joe Hart forced into three top-class saves before he was finally beaten from 12 yards in only the 13th minute.

City improved after the break, but could not find a way through the well-drilled Liverpool defensive ranks, with Pepe Reina able to keep a clean sheet with few alarms.

Unlucky

Mancini told Sky Sports: "I thought we played better in the second half, we were poor in the first half. In the end we didn't deserve to lose, but we were unlucky.

"This moment is very difficult, but it is important that we stay very confident. This moment is not a good moment. We have to continue to work and continue to believe in ourselves.

"We were without three or four players, but in the second half we played well.

"We did well until three or four days ago, now we have lost two important games.

"We can win away against Liverpool. It will be difficult, but we will try. It is only one goal."

The City boss withdrew Mario Balotelli before the interval and sent on Samir Nasri, with the temperamental striker heading straight down the tunnel, but Mancini insisted his exit was due to injury.

He added: "No, I don't think it is serious. But he can't play, he has a problem with his ankle."