MAN City thrashed Liverpool 4- 0 to reach FA Cup semi finals. A Erling Haaland hat-trick saw off the team from Anfield as City to look the FA Cup to their recently acquired Carabao Cup, reports the Voice of Sport from Etihad Stadium.
Liverpool’s FA Cup exit felt heavier than the scoreline. It was not just defeat, but a performance that sharpened the sense that a defining chapter at Anfield is drawing to a close.
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With this competition representing their only realistic route to domestic silverware, Liverpool arrived under pressure after a difficult run of form, including defeat to Brighton and a draw with Spurs. Meanwhile, Man City came in with control and confidence, having already beaten the Reds twice this season.
The opening stages were lively, with both sides creating early chances. Liverpool had the clearest opportunity to strike first. Giorgi Mamardashvili launched a long ball over the top, Mohamed Salah held off his defender, but hesitated and dragged his effort wide. It was a moment that summed up his afternoon.
Hugo Ekitike nearly gave Liverpool the lead on 28 minutes, his powerful half volley from 14 yards clearing the crossbar by inches. Man City responded quickly, with Antoine Semenyo forcing a sharp fingertip save from Mamardashvili after weaving through the Liverpool defence.
The breakthrough came on 36 minutes. A clever turn from Nico O’Reilly drew contact from Virgil van Dijk inside the box, and Erling Haaland converted the penalty with authority to give City the lead.
From there, Manchester City took control.
Haaland doubled the advantage soon after, rising to meet Semenyo’s cross and powering a header into the far corner. The visitors struggled to respond, and early in the second half the tie was effectively decided.
On 49 minutes, Antoine Semenyo timed his run perfectly to break in behind and lifted a composed finish over Mamardashvili to make it 3–0.
Man City’s dominance continued. Semenyo again played a central role, threading a pass to Nico O’Reilly, who squared for Haaland to complete his hat-trick and extend the lead further.
Liverpool were handed a late opportunity to respond when Ekitike was brought down in the box, but Mohamed Salah’s penalty was saved by James Trafford, capping a difficult afternoon for a player whose standards have defined this club for nearly a decade.
The result marks Liverpool’s tenth away defeat of the season and leaves their hopes of silverware resting solely on European competition. It also comes at a significant moment. Salah has recently confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, bringing an end to a nine-year spell that has delivered goals, trophies, and global influence.
Against City, there were flashes of intent but not the sharpness that once defined him. Time, space, and moments that would once have been decisive slipped away. For Arne Slot, the pressure is building. Liverpool remain in a fight for the top four, but performances like this raise questions about direction, control, and how quickly transition can take hold.
For Salah, the legacy is already secure. Few players have shaped Liverpool’s modern history in the way he has. But this felt different.
Not just a defeat, but a reminder that eras do not end all at once. They fade, moment by moment.
And at the Etihad, under the weight of expectation and reality, this one felt like it moved a step closer to its conclusion.
www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup