Manchester City put on a sharp attacking show. They beat Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final. Erling Haaland netted a sharp hat-trick. Antoine Semenyo chipped in with a fine goal. So, Pep Guardiola’s team heads to the semis for an eighth straight year. That’s a new record. Meanwhile, Arne Slot’s Liverpool took their worst loss this season.
This big win at the Etihad killed Liverpool’s cup dreams. It also showed City’s strong return in domestic cups. Fans call it one of the most lopsided Big Six matches lately.
How the Match Unfolded: City Takes Control Early – Watch Highlights
Both teams felt each other out at the start. Then, in the 39th minute, things changed. Virgil van Dijk tripped Nico O’Reilly in the penalty area. Haaland stayed calm. He slotted the spot-kick past Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Right before halftime, City went up 2-0. Rayan Cherki and Semenyo linked up well. Haaland jumped free and headed it in strongly. Liverpool seemed stunned. The second half stayed tough for them.
Semenyo scored again soon after the break. In the 50th minute, he finished coolly off a smooth City move. Then Haaland sealed his hat-trick at 57 minutes. Jeremy Doku sparked a fast counter. O’Reilly assisted perfectly. Haaland smashed it off the bar and in.
Liverpool’s day got worse at 64 minutes. Mohamed Salah missed a penalty. James Trafford saved it well. That killed any comeback talk.
Top Moments from Man City 4-0 Liverpool
- 39′ – Haaland Penalty (1-0): Van Dijk fouls O’Reilly. Haaland nails it from 12 yards.
- 45+2′ – Haaland Header (2-0): Semenyo crosses it right to him. He powers it home before the break.
- 50′ – Semenyo Goal (3-0): Cherki sets him up nicely. Semenyo slots it away clean.
- 57′ – Haaland Hat-Trick (4-0): Doku starts the break. O’Reilly assists. Haaland hooks in his 12th treble for City.
- 64′ – Salah Penalty Miss: Trafford stops the Egyptian. No rally from there.
- City’s Run: They now hold 18 straight home FA Cup wins. That’s a record. Liverpool had zero second-half shots on target.
That 20-minute stretch around halftime decided it. All four goals were hit fast. It exposed Liverpool’s backline issues.
Manchester City Player Ratings
City played one of its best games this year. They mixed tight defense with sharp attacks.
| Player | Position | Key Contribution | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Trafford | GK | Saved Salah’s pen; led the back well | 8.5 |
| Nunes / Khusanov / Guéhi / O’Reilly | Defence | Kept it tight; O’Reilly earned the pen | 8.0 |
| Rodri / Bernardo Silva | Midfield | Set the pace; Rodri held the middle | 8.5 |
| Antoine Semenyo | Winger | Scored and assisted; flew down the wing | 9.0 |
| Rayan Cherki | Attacking Mid | Made smart plays up top | 8.0 |
| Jeremy Doku | Winger | Drove forward; scored the last goal | 8.5 |
| Erling Haaland | Striker | Hat-trick via pen, head, volley; MOTM | 10.0 |
City Team Stats:
- Possession: 58%
- Shots: 14 (8 on target)
- Expected Goals (xG): Strong in danger zones
- Passes: Accurate from back to front
Guardiola’s squad looked ready and smart. They kept their great home cup form.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Liverpool did not look like title challengers. Low energy hurt them. Bad choices cost goals.
| Player | Position | Key Contribution | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giorgi Mamardashvili | GK | Goals not his fault | 6.0 |
| Gomez / Konaté / Van Dijk / Kerkez | Defence | Van Dijk’s error sparked it all | 5.0 |
| Gravenberch / Jones | Midfield | Could not stop City’s engine | 5.5 |
| Mohamed Salah | Forward | Pen miss; quiet day | 5.0 |
| Szoboszlai / Wirtz | Attacking Mid | No real chances made | 5.5 |
| Ekitike | Striker | Alone up top, no service | 5.0 |
Liverpool Team Stats:
- Possession: 42%
- Shots: 7 (2 on target)
- Expected Goals (xG): Poor finishing
- Discipline: Yellows piled up; heads down after goal three
Slot said after the match that his team fell short of Liverpool’s standards. He called it a huge letdown. They lacked fight in that key spell.
Tactics Breakdown and Next Steps
Guardiola targeted gaps behind Liverpool’s high defense. Fast breaks worked great. Haaland’s hot streak helps City’s treble push.
Liverpool faces mentality doubts now. Squad depth looks thin, especially if Salah leaves. They need to refocus for Champions League. Hopes remain there.
City stays cup kings under Pep. They sit second in the league, but the cups shine.
What They Said After
- Pep Guardiola: His team played magnificently. He loved Haaland’s finishing.
- Arne Slot: Losing hurts. A 4-0 quarter-final exit stings badly. Key moments punished us.
- Fans online: Humiliating for Liverpool. Statement from City.
Haaland’s masterclass and City’s record run mark this quarter-final forever. They march on to Wembley.
