Following Liverpool’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at the Etihad Stadium last week, Mancini apologised for waving an imaginary red card in an attempt to have defender Martin Skrtel sent off for conceding a penalty with a foul on Yaya Touré.
But with Mancini condemning Wayne Rooney at the weekend for his role in Kompany’s dismissal, Gerrard hit back at the former Inter Milan coach. “I’m surprised at Mancini,” Gerrard said.
“He had a go at Wayne Rooney trying to get one of his players sent off at the weekend, and now he is trying to get one of our players into trouble – I don’t think that’s right.”
Liverpool’s victory consigned City to their fourth defeat in eight games and second successive home defeat. And Mancini admits that, with a 1-0 advantage, Kenny Dalglish’s team are favourites to book their first visit to Wembley since the 1996 FA Cup final.
“The second leg is going to be difficult,” Mancini said. “Liverpool are favourites because they won 1-0 away. We have played two difficult games. I knew that was going to happen.
“January is going to be an important month but I think in both games we didn’t deserve to lose. It is difficult because we were without three or four players. The result is not right. For me it was a draw.”
Dalglish, who confirmed that Jay Spearing would have a test on a hamstring injury on Thursday, said that his team still had work to do in the second leg.
He said: “It’s a fantastic performance against a really good side, but we’re not presuming that the job is done. It wasn’t the prettiest performance, but it didn’t fall short in terms of desire or commitment.
“We might have a slight advantage with the goal, but there will be nobody jumping through hoops at our place. We’ll just be as professional as we can at our place.”