Erling Haaland fired a brilliant hat-trick as Manchester City cruised into the FA Cup semi-finals with a devastating 4-0 victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland Destroys Liverpool in 4-0 FA Cup defeat
The Norwegian striker struck twice in quick succession late in the first half before adding his third after the break.
Antoine Semenyo also got on the scoresheet as City produced a ruthless display to pile more misery on under-fire Reds boss Arne Slot.
Haaland broke the deadlock just before half-time and doubled City’s lead moments later. He completed his treble following Semenyo’s strike, leaving Liverpool’s defence in tatters.
Mohamed Salah had a chance to pull one back late on, but City goalkeeper James Trafford saved his penalty, summing up a miserable afternoon for the visitors.
The defeat piles further pressure on Slot, whose side have won just two of their last seven matches across all competitions.
Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League and face an uphill battle to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
“We have had a lot of setbacks and disappointments, but that is also part of being a football player and being a human being,” Slot said.
“You have to stand there when things are not so positive.”
Liverpool now travel to Paris Saint-Germain for the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, with Slot desperately needing a positive result against the holders to silence his critics.
For City, the victory extends their remarkable run of reaching the FA Cup semi-finals for an eighth consecutive season.
The champions have now beaten Liverpool three times in a row for the first time since 1937, having already secured two Premier League wins over the Reds this term.
City’s relentless performance sends a clear warning to their rivals as they continue their pursuit of more silverware this season.
