Under fire Mancini takes full blame for dire Liverpool defeat

Under-fire Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has accepted full responsibility for his side’s limp 3-0 collapse to Liverpool at Anfield last night.

Andy Carroll’s first two goals for Liverpool, either side of a Dirk Kuyt strike - all of which arrived in the first half, sealed a magnificent win for Kenny Dalglish’s side against a City side that looked completely out of sorts.

Following last night’s result, City trail third placed Chelsea by two points and lead fifth placed Tottenham Hotspur by three points, but both sides have a game in hand on the most expensive squad in the Premier League.

City’s next clash is against bitter rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley this weekend and although Mancini’s position could be under threat if he fails to win a trophy or qualify for the Champions League, he insists he is not worried about his future.

"I am not worried," he said.

"I am sure that we will get to the Champions League and reach the final (of the FA Cup).

"I am disappointed with myself. This game was all my fault. I made mistakes in the last two days. I know why. I can't say any more than that."

"Liverpool played fantastic in the first 20 minutes," added the Italian. “We didn't play.

“We left a lot of space for them. They were very aggressive at the start of the game and we played very soft.

"Probably we thought if we don't play this game at 100%, we can still play a good game. But football is not like that."

Added to Mancini’s woes is the potential loss of Carlos Tevez for the majority of the rest of the season after the talismanic striker had to be withdrawn early in the first half with a hamstring injury.

"Carlos has a hamstring (injury). I don't think that he will play on Saturday," said Mancini.

"We will try but I think it is very difficult because we also have to think about the other six games."