By Our Reporter
Arne Slot launched a fierce criticism of Liverpool following their heavy 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup, blaming a disastrous defensive spell for the team’s collapse.
Despite a promising start at the Etihad Stadium, Liverpool conceded four goals in a devastating 20-minute period, with Erling Haaland netting a hat-trick to send City into a record eighth consecutive semi-final.
Slot expressed deep frustration with his side’s defending, insisting such lapses make it impossible to win matches. He noted recurring issues throughout the season, including missed chances and an inability to deal with the few opportunities opponents create.
The Dutch coach, however, acknowledged that his team showed glimpses of quality earlier in the game, creating chances and controlling play before the collapse. He stressed that those positive spells must be sustained if Liverpool are to compete at the highest level.
Mohamed Salah, playing his first match since confirming he will leave the club this summer, endured a difficult outing. The forward missed key chances, including a penalty saved by City goalkeeper James Trafford. Slot refused to single out Salah, instead attributing the defeat to collective shortcomings, including missed penalties by other players this season.
The loss ends Liverpool’s FA Cup hopes and adds to a disappointing domestic campaign, leaving the Premier League side with the UEFA Champions League as their only realistic path to silverware.
Attention now turns to a crucial quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain, where Slot expects a strong response. He emphasized the need for mental resilience and warned that a repeat of their defensive collapse could prove costly against Europe’s elite.