Erling Haaland scored a superb goal as Manchester City beat Liverpool 4-0 to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for a record eighth consecutive season.
Liverpool collapse after a bright start
Antoine Semenyo was also in the headlines as City continued their quest for a second domestic treble with a fine performance at the Etihad Stadium.
It was another disappointing afternoon in a difficult season for Liverpool and their frustration was compounded when Mohamed Salah was denied in the penalty area by James Trafford.
Salah was making his first appearance since announcing he would be leaving the Reds at the end of the season and it wasn’t the way he wanted to start his final games.
It was always going to be a difficult task against City who have already beaten them twice this season and have never lost an FA Cup game under Pep Guardiola.
The teams seemed equal at the beginning but when City went forward there was no looking back, Haaland who stood out as he grabbed his 12th hat-trick for the team.
Watched by an unexpected visitor from Sir Alex Ferguson, both teams threatened early on when Jeremy Doku and Hugo Ekitike drove wide at either end.
Matheus Nunes shot Giorgi Mamardashvili, who then launched a quick attack that put Salah in the goal.
The Egyptian looked certain to score but – perhaps he was in a hurry when Abdukodir Khusanov slid in – he sent his effort wide. Ekitike was also skipped.
City were denied a penalty appeal after Rayan Cherki went down following a challenge from Milos Kerkez.
Guardiola, watching the replay from the stands as he cleared the touchline, appeared confused but VAR upheld the decision.
Michael Oliver pointed to the spot, however, when Nico O’Reilly tripped after turning on Virgil van Dijk.
There was little debate and Haaland slotted home from 12 yards for only his second goal in seven outings but his 31st of the campaign.
He doubled his tally for the day in the first half after Cherki released Semenyo with a cleverly disguised pass and the Norwegian headed the Ghanaian defender’s ball past Mamardashvili.
City stepped up again after the break, extending their lead when Semenyo raced past another good ball from Cherki and cut it to Mamadashvili.
Growing in confidence, Semenyo tried to lob the keeper at the center circle and his effort was just deflected wide.
The fourth goal came just before the hour mark as Haaland completed his treble by curling in a shot from O’Reilly’s cross.
The City fans got together, started celebrating Poznan and Cherki tried to play a small ball into his box.
The atmosphere erupted as Nunes knocked down Ekitike but he got up again as Trafford hit Salah’s ball.
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Liverpool could have a managerial change this summer.
The game was drawing to a close but not before Cherki appeared, sitting on the bench after being sent off, wearing the shirt of his international team-mate Ekitike.
Speaking to X after the game, James Pearce of The Athletic shared his decision straight from the build-up to the game at the Etihad, revealing the pressure on Slott is ‘intense’.
Reports during the week suggested that FSG are keen to stick with the Dutchman this summer despite a complete collapse in the final weeks of the season.
But Saturday’s defeat ahead of a similarly tough trip to Paris on Wednesday casts serious doubt over the manager’s future.
The Reds are expected to look for fan favorite Xabi Alonso, who has been out of action since leaving Real Madrid.
