Haaland hat-trick sinks Liverpool as City cruise into FA Cup semis

Erling Haaland delivered a devastating hat‑trick as Manchester City swept aside Liverpool 4–0 to reach the FA Cup semi‑finals, deepening the scrutiny on Arne Slot. The Norwegian struck twice before the interval at the Etihad and completed his treble after Antoine Semenyo had added City’s third. Liverpool’s misery grew when Mohamed Salah saw a penalty saved by James Trafford, prompting home fans to taunt Slot with chants about his job security.

With only two wins in their last seven matches and sitting fifth in the Premier League, Liverpool now travel to Paris Saint‑Germain for a crucial Champions League quarter‑final first leg, a match Slot desperately needs to win. City, meanwhile, advanced to the semi‑finals for the eighth straight season and extended their record run to 18 consecutive home FA Cup victories. After lifting the League Cup before the international break, Pep Guardiola’s side can still target the FA Cup and maintain faint hopes of catching Arsenal in the title race.