Haaland hat-trick as City crush Liverpool to reach FA Cup semis
Haaland hat-trick as City crush Liverpool to reach FA Cup semis
Erling Haaland bags a hat-trick as Manchester City rout Liverpool 4-0 to book an FA Cup semi-final spot, piling pressure on Klopp's side ahead of their European clash.
Erling Haaland propelled Manchester City into the FA Cup semi-finals with a blistering hat-trick as City thrashed Liverpool 4-0 at the Etihad. Haaland completed his treble in the 39th minute and then added a fourth just before the hour, finishing off a quick-fire move after Jérémy Doku and Nico O’Reilly threaded the ball through Liverpool’s defence and the striker hooked it in off the bar.
By 57 minutes City were cruising, and Klopp's men were left chasing a game that wore them down as Salah spurned early second-half chances and Liverpool's hopes of a revival faded. Hugo Ekitiké looked bright for Liverpool, twice testing City keeper James Trafford, but the need for a killer moment never came.
City’s front four — Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Haaland and Doku — stretched a vulnerable Liverpool back line, while Guardiola watched from a seat behind the bench after a two-game ban. City extended their astonishing FA Cup record to eight consecutive semi-finals, a statistic that reflects the club’s sustained excellence in knockout football.
Next up for Klopp’s side is a midweek Champions League assignment against Paris Saint-Germain, a stern test that could shape his future at Anfield. For City, the win keeps them on track in domestic cup competitions and underlines why Guardiola’s team remain the team to beat in English football.
