Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool exited the FA Cup to Manchester City this afternoon.
Arne Slot’s hopes of reigniting Liverpool’s season were damaged as they were outplayed at the Etihad Stadium.
A hat-trick from Erling Haaland and another from Antoine Semenyo sent the Cityzens on their way to an FA Cup semi-final.
Mohamed Salah’s farewell tour got off to the worst start as the Egyptian took to the field for the first time following his announcement that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
There is still the Champions League to play for, but Mohamed Salah missing a penalty to cap off an awful afternoon for the Reds is not the start to the final few months in Red that he would’ve hoped for.
To make matters worse, Liverpool fans left the ground early, with James Pearce reporting that there were a lot of empty seats with 15 minutes of the game to go this afternoon.
As well as a decline in the performances of Mohamed Salah this season, Virgil van Dijk’s errors in-front of goal have gone a bit under the radar.
To provide context, Virgil van Dijk’s concession of a penalty today was his fourth of the season, which is as many as he has conceded in his first eight years with Liverpool.
However, talking point that was arguably stranger than all others was when the TNT Sports cameras switched to Manchester City player Rayan Cherki.
The Manchester City player has just been substituted at the same time as Hugo Ekitike and it appeared the player chose that to be the perfect time to put on the Liverpool striker’s shirt whilst sat on the bench.
Those around him quickly told him to remove it and he did so hastily, waving an apologetic hand in the air.
Hugo Ekitike handing over his shirt to Rayan Cherki after departing the field with his side 4-0 down reinforces the idea that the mentality at the club isn’t the strongest at the minute.
Dominik Szoboszlai touched on this after the game, explaining how a lack of fighting spirit and a lack of mentality led to Liverpool’s damaging defeat this afternoon.
Not enough is being given on the pitch to get the Reds back into football matches and actions like Ekitike’s today will not help this outlook.
Liverpool will need a big response on Wednesday as they head to Paris to face PSG in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
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