Stefan Savic slip sees Steven Gerrard give Liverpool a 1-0 lead over Manchester City in Carling Cup semi-final For City, there was only frustration. As hard as Sergio Agüero ran, City badly missed the locksmith skills of David Silva in attempting to break through. They missed Yaya Touré"s powerful surges through the middle. Mario Balotelli limped off in the first half, having injured his ankle, and his replacement Samir Nasri lacked the energy to trouble Liverpool. Edin Dzeko came on but also failed to impose himself. Among the few City players emerging with reputations enhanced were Joe Hart, exceptional in the first half, and Micah Richards, who kept charging upfield while never neglecting his defensive duties. Fabio Capello may not rate him but Richards wins more admirers by the week. City's annoyance spilled into anger when a rival to the England right-back spot, Glen Johnson, launched himself into a challenge on Joleon Lescott that echoed Vincent Kompany's on Nani in the FA Cup on Sunday. The cameras zoomed in on the banned Kompany, kicking his heels in an executive box. On a day when English referees were being honoured by Fifa, with Michael Oliver rising to the Fifa list and Mark Clattenburg joining Howard Webb and Martin Atkinson in the elite category, the debate over refereeing consistency continued. Johnson escaped without censure. Kompany has to sit out four games. The sooner referees issue a short post-match statement clarifying any talking points the better. Lee Mason hardly needed to be Perry Mason to detect the infringement that gifted Liverpool their spot-kick. Stefan Savic, an under-par understudy for Kompany, was already struggling, soon erring badly in challenging Agger, clearly fouling him. Mason pointed to the spot, and Gerrard did the rest, ignoring the green laser pen shining on his face to slide the penalty low to Hart's right. Hart had been at his defiant best until then. City were heavily indebted to their agile England international to keep Liverpool at bay as a red storm tore their way. Hart quickly made three good saves, diving out to deny Carroll, pushing away a Gerrard shot and then a deflected Stewart Downing volley. The last save was special, Hart dropping to his left and stretching out a hand to thwart Downing. Liverpool kept pouring forward, taking the lead through Gerrard, who continued to set their high tempo. They even took the loss of Jay Spearing in their stride, the midfielder feeling his hamstring tighten and being replaced by Adam. The Scot's first involvement was a delight, a beautiful 40-yard pass driven from the centre to Craig Bellamy on the right. Balotelli was going through the enigma variations, mainly off key though. Fouled by Adam, the Italian reacted furiously, particularly when the Liverpool midfielder tapped him on the head. Balotelli soon went off, Nasri trotted on, tested Pepe Reina, but again failed to command the City fans" affections. Trying to change his players" mood and the direction of the game, Roberto Mancini changed his formation, going three at the back with Gaël Clichy pushed far down the left, the Frenchman whipping in some good crosses. When Martin Kelly played the ball back blind to Reina, Agüero pounced, nicking the ball and moving to go round the Liverpool keeper. Reina judged his interception perfectly to remove the danger from under Agüero's quick feet. Reina then impressed again, repelling Richards" strong header. City kept hunting that equaliser. City hammered away. It was far from pretty. Nasri, who seemed the aggressor, and Carragher were both cautioned for a coming together of heads. As tempers rose, the level of football fell further. Gerrard booted the ball clear. Mancini frantically ran down the line to get a loose ball. Johnson then jumped into that tackle on Lescott. A penny for Kompany's thoughts. How City missed their leader as well as Yaya Touré and Silva. Mancini's men have much work to do at Anfield if they are to turn this tie around. Advantage Liverpool.