With both Roberto Mancini and Kenny Dalglish in attendance, it was City’s EDS youngsters who dominated the early stages with Alex Nimely going close twice in the opening 10 minutes.
The young Liberian was proving a constant thorn in Liverpool’s defence at Hyde until he limped off with an injury on 25 minutes and his departure signalled a period of pressure for the visitors that saw them eventually take the lead.
The alarm bells were ringing when Joe Cole had an effort ruled out for offside on 27 minutes, but four minutes later, Bruna tapped home after Saric’s effort was saved by David Gonzalez.
Star attractions Michael Johnson and Cole both failed to appear after the break having completed another 45 minutes in their respective efforts to return to full fitness and City were fortunate not to go two down ten minutes after the break Amoo elected to shoot instead of pass to the better-placed Ince.
Most of City’s attacks were instigated by the lively Donal McDermott, but neither John Guidetti nor David Ball managed to profit from his industry down the flank.
The Blues tried to rally themselves late on but just couldn’t find the spark needed to get back on level terms in what was a disappointing performance overall for one of the best Hyde crowds of the season.
