Arne Slot calls on Liverpool to unite following heavy FA Cup defeat to Manchester City

Slot's team squandered numerous early opportunities at the Etihad Stadium before folding as Erling Haaland netted Manchester City's initial strike near the end of the first period.

Haaland added another just before the interval and sealed his hat-trick post-restart after Antoine Semenyo had scored.

Liverpool's dismal showing, which featured a missed penalty by Mohamed Salah with the score at 4-0, has ramped up the scrutiny on Slot amid a tough season.

"It's very disappointing to be out, not only in the manner but also the result and the score. Another big disappointment for us," said Slot, whose squad has managed just two victories in their previous seven outings.

"The first 35 minutes was the sort of team I would like to see but the 20 minutes after that, we have to defend so much better than we were doing today.

"It's not nice to go in at 2-0 just before half-time, not helpful for your mood especially after the season we have had. That was really hard to take."

In an open discussion of Liverpool's issues, Slot expressed worry about preventing an even larger defeat before their midweek Champions League quarter-final opener against Paris Saint-Germain.

"The only good thing was that we didn't concede more. If you want to have a good game on Wednesday, a 4-0 loss is already not helpful but an even bigger loss would be a bigger problem for us to go there," he said.

"I tried to get us back into the game, to make it 4-1 or 4-2 but make sure that it stays at four and that was the main thing I thought about."

The Reds sit in fifth position in the Premier League, their championship challenge in ruins and their hopes of securing next season's Champions League spot looking uncertain.

'A lot of setbacks'

Slot faced mockery from City supporters who sang "you're getting sacked in the morning" and although that may be too soon, the Dutch manager faces growing pressure.

Liverpool fans have become irritated by their side's feeble displays. The Champions League offers Liverpool's final shot at a trophy this term, yet they confront a formidable challenge from title holders PSG.

Urging his players to rise to the occasion versus PSG, who eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League in the prior campaign, Slot stated: "We are really looking forward to playing against a very good side again.

"We have had a lot of setbacks and disappointments but that is also part of being a football player and being a human being. You have to stand there when things are not so positive and that's what it is about now.

"Players that have shown so much quality in the past now have a fantastic chance to show that against PSG."

With City head coach Pep Guardiola sidelined by a touchline suspension, his assistant Pep Lijnders handled the post-match press responsibilities.

"Pep is really pleased, that is the most important. It's not easy to please him," Lijnders said.

"The first 25 minutes we were too open. Then we started to control the game and created more chances. Erling's header was insane. I love when a striker flies and attacks the ball What a goal."

Manchester City's eighth straight FA Cup semi-final run positions them to potentially claim the trophy for the first time since 2023. They have triumphed at Wembley already this season, overcoming Arsenal 2-0 in the League Cup final shortly before the international fixtures.

"Pep was really happy because it's special if you go eight times to Wembley," Lijnders said. "It's the part of the season where the business has to be done. The boys feel that."