Sadio Mane was once again the torment of Manchester City as Liverpool clinched a place in the FA Cup final for the first time since 2012 with a 3-2 victory that keeps their quest for an extraordinary treble alive.
Just six days earlier, the Senegalese attacker scored a crucial equalize to secure a 2-2 Premier League draw in a title clash at the Etihad Stadium, and he grabbed center stage at Wembley after Ibrahima Konate opened the scoring with a header for the third consecutive game.
Just eight minutes later, Mane rushed down a hesitant Zack Steffen to challenge the City goalkeeper and slot the ball in for Liverpool's second of the afternoon. It was a massive error from the Citizens' backup goalkeeper, and it just added to the idea that Pep Guardiola's selection gambit had backfired spectacularly.
Indeed, after their Champions League exploits against Atletico Madrid in midweek, City manager Pep Guardiola said he had no option but to choose a less-than-full-strength squad, which Jurgen Klopp's Reds exploited brutally.
Mane struck again on the stroke of halftime, finishing a lovely play on the outside of the penalty box with a blistering near post volley to conclude a fairytale first 45 for the Merseysiders.
City needed a quick reaction and got it as Jack Grealish scored a first-time goal from Gabriel Jesus' ball only a minute after the game restarted.
In a more level second half, Alisson made two outstanding stops to deny Jesus when the Brazilian was set free, while Mo Salah went close for the Reds.
Bernardo Silva pulled one back in stoppage time to set up a tense finish, but Klopp's side held on to win.
With the win, Liverpool will face either Chelsea or Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final, keeping their hopes of winning four trophies alive. City will not win the triple, but they are still in contention for the Premier League and the Champions League.
The spotlight then shifts back to the Premier League championship chase. On Tuesday, Liverpool will face Manchester United, while Manchester City will want to rebound from their loss to Brighton at home on Wednesday.
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