Haaland scores hat trick, Salah misses penalty as Man City thrashes Liverpool in FA Cup

Manchester City booked a place in the FA Cup semifinals for a record eighth consecutive season after a ruthless 4-0 dismantling of Liverpool at Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland needed just 18 minutes to complete a blistering hat trick that effectively settled the contest before the half-hour mark, leaving the visitors reeling and the home crowd in raptures.

The Norwegian striker’s treble highlighted a dominant display that keeps City’s quadruple hopes alive and deepens the scrutiny on Liverpool manager Arne Slot, whose side capitulated under the weight of City’s high-tempo pressing and incisive finishing. Liverpool’s misery was compounded when Mohamed Salah, usually so reliable from the spot, saw a penalty saved, extinguishing any faint hopes of a comeback.

The defeat marks Liverpool’s heaviest reverse of the campaign and raises further questions about their ability to handle the pressure of high-stakes knockout football. With the loss, the Reds exit the competition at the quarterfinal stage, while City march on, buoyed by Haaland’s lethal finishing and a defensive performance that limited Liverpool to few clear chances.

The result also underscores City’s remarkable consistency in domestic cup competitions, extending their historic streak of semifinal appearances and reinforcing their status as favorites to lift the trophy once again.