Haaland hat-trick crushes Liverpool as City storm into FA Cup semis

Erling Haaland produced a sensational treble as Manchester City demolished Liverpool 4-0 at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, booking their place in FA Cup semi-finals and intensifying the pressure on Reds manager Arne Slot.

Haaland struck twice late in the first half and completed his hat-trick after the interval, following an Antoine Semenyo effort for Liverpool. 

Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty was saved by City goalkeeper James Trafford, compounding a miserable afternoon for the visitors. 

City fans mocked Slot with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” as Liverpool suffered a heavy defeat ahead of their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

With just two wins in their last seven matches across all competitions, Liverpool sit fifth in Premier League and face an uncertain road to next season’s Champions League. 

For City, however, it was another dominant display, extending their FA Cup home winning streak to 18 matches and marking three consecutive victories over Liverpool this season; the first such run since 1937.

Trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by nine points and recently eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola’s side are hitting form at the perfect moment, eyeing FA Cup glory for the first time since 2023 while keeping hopes alive in the title race.

Haaland’s clinical display was set up by key contributions from Nico O'Reilly and Rayan Cherki, while Semenyo briefly offered Liverpool a glimmer of hope before City ruthlessly sealed the victory. 

Salah’s struggles continued, epitomized by his missed penalty, leaving the Reds facing a critical rebuilding phase as they prepare for midweek European action.

In other FA Cup quarter-finals, Chelsea host Port Vale, Arsenal travel to Southampton and West Ham meet Leeds United on Sunday.

SH