Liverpool FC Dutch manager, Arne Slot, has expressed “big disappointment” after the Reds were humiliated out of the FA Cup 2025/26 by Manchester City on Saturday.
The Reds, who are reigning Kings of England, were booted out of the FA Cup following a 4-0 wallop in the hands of Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens on Saturday 4 April, 2026 at Etihad Stadium.
The showdown saw Norway striker, Erling Haaland, net a hat-trick and Antoine Semenyo net one to help Manchester City cruise to Wembley Stadium for the semi finals.
When asked on the performance of his side in the clash, the Dutchman answered, no need to ask him the question “because the result speaks for itself”.
Slot said, he still has his eye on helping Liverpool qualify for next season’s Uefa Champions League – the Reds will play against French side, Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG) on Wednesday in the UCL 2025/26 quarter finals.
He said, during the game against City, the Reds always “forget to block a cross, defend in front of goal” and that is the reason why “every single time it’s a goal”.
However, he said, on Wednesday, Liverpool will “have to make it more difficult” for PSG, adding, the Les Parisiens have “good” players.
According to Liverpool official website, at his post-defeat presser, Slot said:
On the performance and result…
“I don’t think you have to ask me about the result, because that speaks for itself. That’s an unbelievable disappointment. Losing is already a disappointment, losing with 4-0 and in the quarter-final of the FA Cup against a team which Liverpool played so many times great games against – or fights against – and then losing 4-0 is, of course, a big disappointment.”
On the Champions League being the only chance left to lift a trophy this season…
“Yeah, that’s for silverware. But it’s also very crucial that we qualify for the Champions League of course for next season.
“One of the things we need to do if we play against Paris Saint-Germain or against Man City – you need to defend better than we did in the 20 minutes when we conceded the four goals. If you generate chances, you have to score.”
On his message to fans after the loss…
“We don’t want them to leave early – we have to perform better. That’s the first thing. The good thing is the fans have always been supportive. So, it’s up to us not only to react for them but also to ourselves.”
On whether his players are not doing enough…
“I don’t agree with what you’re saying, but in moments you are completely right. But every single time we forget to block a cross, we forget to defend in front of goal, we forget to follow a runner… every single time it’s a goal.”
On his plan for the showdown against PSG…
“It’s a bit of everything. Effort comes first.
“If you don’t make it difficult to good players, it’s immediately a goal – and that’s what we saw four times. Wednesday we face again very good players, so we have to make it more difficult for them in those moments when we have to defend them than we did today.”
Trip to Paris…
Arne Slot will lead Liverpool on a trip to Paris, the French Capital, for a showdown against Ligue 1 2025/26 toppers, Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG), in the Uefa Champions League quarter final first leg match at Parc des Princes on Wednesday 8 April, 2026 at 20:00 (WAT).
Photo: Liverpool manager Arne Slot looking stunned as Manchester City douse the Reds by four (4) goals zero (0) on Saturday at Etihad Stadium | LIVERPOOL FC
