By Ayomide Otitoju
Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick as Manchester City crushed Liverpool 4-0 on Saturday to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, piling pressure on under-fire Reds manager Arne Slot.
Haaland opened the scoring with a penalty after Antoine Semenyo was fouled by Virgil van Dijk, before doubling City’s lead with a first-half header. Semenyo added a third for City five minutes after the break, and Haaland completed his treble in the 57th minute with a clinical finish from 12 yards, marking the 28th hat-trick of his career.
Liverpool’s day worsened when Mohamed Salah had a penalty saved by City goalkeeper James Trafford, capping a dismal performance. Fans at the Etihad Stadium mocked Slot with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning.”
The defeat is a major blow for Liverpool, who have won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions and sit fifth in the Premier League, casting doubt on their chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Just a year ago, Slot was on the verge of leading the Reds to a record-equalling 20th English title.
City, meanwhile, have now beaten Liverpool three times in succession for the first time since 1937 and extended their record of consecutive home FA Cup wins to 18. The victory keeps City’s FA Cup hopes alive for the first time since 2023, while leaving a slim chance of closing the nine-point gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool started brightly, with Hugo Ekitike and Salah missing early chances, but City’s relentless pressure punished their failure to convert. Nico O’Reilly set up Haaland’s penalty and treble, while Semenyo’s finish added a decisive blow.
Salah, on a farewell tour after announcing he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, endured another disappointing outing, with his second-half penalty miss highlighting his struggles.
FA Cup action continues this weekend with Chelsea facing Port Vale, Arsenal visiting Southampton, and West Ham hosting Leeds United on Sunday.
