Manchester City beat Liverpool 4-0 to book a place in the FA Cup semi-final. Norwegian Erling Haaland scores a hat-trick at Etihad to make a way for his side to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Manchester City secured a victory of 4-0 against Liverpool in a high-profile match played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool’s outgoing, in the next transfer window, Mo Salah, missed a penalty.
How Manchester City dismantled Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final.
In the second half of the match, Mohamed Salah had a bad day at his workplace following his missed penalty. Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford saved Salah’s penalty in the second half.
https://footdata.space/mohamed-salah-career-stats-and-achievements/
Salah’s spot kick could act as a consolidating goal for Liverpool. It was the first game for the Egyptian international since his announcement to leave the club by the end of this season.
But Liverpool looked toothless, impactless, with no plan to respond to Manchester City’s quality, specifically in the second half.
In the late first half, Haaland was first to break the deadlock through a penalty kick. Haaland’s penalty came after Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk fouled Nico O’Reilly.
Then, in the early stages of the game in the second half, Haaland doubled the lead for Manchester City.
A few minutes later, Antonie Semenyo made the scoreboard read three-nil, giving Arne Slot’s side a difficult job to respond. Semenyo’s goal came from Ryan Cherki’s effort in the franks.
Before the hour mark of the game, Erling Haaland completes his hat-trick and demolishes the visitors with no response. And it is now his 12th hat-trick since joining Manchester City in all competitions.
Erling Haaland was declared the best player of this game. The Norwegian international has never hesitated to praise his teammates for a great job. Furthermore, he admits that Manchester City should win trophies.
This club has to win trophies on the biggest stage.”
“It’s been some time since I have done it [scored a hat-trick] for City. It is special, so I am super happy.” Haaland told TNT Sports.
Pep Guardiola watched the game from the stands.
Pep Guardiola was not on the touchline for this game. He watched as a spectator from the stand as he served his match order ban. His assistant Pep Lijinders was in charge of the team and media duties afterwards.
However, he was able to lead his side to the last four, waiting for the semis draw later on Easter Sunday.
For eight seasons in a row, Guardiola was able to lead his side to the Semi-final. And now, he is looking to add his second domestic trophy for this season.
Liverpool in slim chance of silverware this season.
The reigning champions of the Premier League are mathematically far away from defending their English Premier League championship for this season.
While they have already missed the Carabao Cup and have now been eliminated in the FA Cup, the Anfield giants are still in the Champions League knockouts, and they are going to meet PSG in the middle of the week.
Liverpool may also consider winning the Champions League to secure automatic qualification for the European elite club competition for the upcoming season.
This is because there is stiff competition at the top of the English Premier League for the ongoing season.
Slot: Liverpool lacks fighting Spirit.
After the game, Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, admitted that his side lacked the fighting spirit to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City.
The Liverpool technician has now revealed that his side has a great job to do before Wednesday’s Champions League clash against PSG.
“I missed the fighting spirit definitely in the first 10 minutes after half-time, and then afterwards it was just a game where both teams accepted it was 4-0.
“But in that 10 to 15 minutes I missed [not just] the fighting spirit but just the willingness to win your duel, to be there first, to make it difficult for either a pass or a cross or a finish.
“That is something we definitely have to do better on Wednesday.”
Arne Slot was quoted by TNT microphones.
Other FA Cup Quarter Final results;
Chelsea 7 -0 Port Vale
Southampton 2-1 Arsenal
Westham United 2-2 Leeds United
Leeds United won 4-2 on penalties after extra time.
FA Cup Semi-Final draw and fixtures;
Saturday, April 25, 2026;
Chelsea V Leeds United 3:00 PM (GMT)
Manchester City V Southampton 3:oo PM (GMT)
FA Cup Final 2026;
Saturday, May 16, 2026
TBC
