Norwegian striker, Erling Braut Haaland, found the back of the three (3) times to help Manchester City cruised past Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup 2025/26 quarter final match at Etihad Stadium on Saturday 4 April, 2026.
The outcome takes Manchester City to the semis of the tournament.
The Norway international’s first goal from the penalty spot opened the goal spree for Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens; he then made it two from Antoine Semenyo’s assist.
And, just few minutes into the second half, Semenyo netted the third and before the hour mark, Haaland sealed win for the Blues with his third of the clash.
In his first appearance for the Reds since announcing his exit from Liverpool, Egypt forward, Mohamed Salah, had his penalty saved by City goalkeeper, James Trafford, when Arne Slot’s side were four (4) goals down.
The penalty miss piles more pressure on the Egyptian as he looks set to exit Anfield at the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign.
It was Dutch central defender, Virgil Van Dijk, who fouled on Nico O’Reilly inside the penalty box that gifted Manchester City the penalty kick, which was perfectly converted by Haaland to place the hosts in front.
Haaland’s second was a fine goal in the 2nd minute of first half additional time and the Reds could do nothing to stop it.
While serving a touchline suspension, City’s Spanish manager Guardiola, watched the showdown from the stands. The former Bayern Munich manager has now successfully guided Manchester City into the last four of the FA Cup for the eighth consecutive season.
Guardiola is eyeing a domestic double after defeating Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal 2-0 in the EFL Cup 2025/26 final with O’Reilly heading in both goals at Wembley Stadium.
The Saturday match was Liverpool’s best chance to clinch a trophy this season, however, they are still very much in the Uefa Champions League 2025/26 and will have French Ligue 1 Kings, Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG) to do battle with in the quarter finals.
In his post-defeat press conference comments, Slot described the humiliating loss as “unbelievable disappointment”.
The Dutch manager said: “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 4-0 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 other sides, Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea totally demolished League Two side, Port Vale, by seven (7) goals to zero (0) at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and, Southampton stunned Arsenal with a 2-1 triumph at St. Mary’s Stadium to progress to the last four stage.
Results
| FA Cup 2025/26 (Quarter Finals) – Saturday 4 April, 2026 |
| Manchester City 4-0 Liverpool |
| Chelsea 7-0 Port Vale |
| Southampton 2-1 Arsenal |
Photo: Erling Haaland celebrates after netting for Manchester City in the FA Cup 2025/26 quarter final match against Liverpool on Saturday 4 April, 2026 at Etihad Stadium
