Dominik Szoboszlai questions Liverpool fighting spirit and mentality after Manchester City drubbing in Emirates FA Cup - 'It's hard to find words'

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Manchester City stormed into the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals with a thumping 4-0 win over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium as Erling Haaland bagged a hat-trick. It was the latest setback in a difficult season for the visitors, and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai was left exasperated afterwards. Meanwhile, TNT Sports pundit Robbie Fowler criticised his former club for being "devoid of confidence."

Fowler: Slot needs to lift 'devoid on confidence' Liverpool

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Dominik Szoboszlai said it was ”hard to find words” to describe Liverpool’s performance after they crumbled to a 4-0 defeat against Manchester City to exit the Emirates FA Cup.

The hosts romped to a resounding win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as Erling Haaland’s 28th career hat-trick and an Antoine Semenyo strike earned them another Wembley semi-final.

For Liverpool, it was the latest crushing disappointment of a poor season in which their hopes of defending the Premier League title are long gone.

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In his post-match interview, Szoboszlai pointed to a lack of mental steel as a potential explanation for the collapse.

”The fighting spirit wasn't there enough, the mentality wasn't there enough. None of us were there, to be honest, as much as we could,” Szoboszlai said.

"It's a hard time but we have to stick together. On Wednesday there is another chance [against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League], but we have to get in our heads this is not how we would like the season to end."

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Pressed on why the team’s mentality was found wanting, the Hungary international said: "That's a good question. I don't know. It's hard to find words to be honest. We wanted this one so much. You lose 4-0 at City and it's not the best."

Haaland struck twice before the break to leave Arne Slot’s side with a mountain to climb and added his third before the hour mark after Semenyo struck.

To make matters worse, Mohamed Salah marked his first appearance since announcing he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season by having a penalty saved with his team four goals down.

”We had chances and missed them, we conceded an easy penalty. We lose 4-0. We cannot concede as much as we concede. Nothing else to say,” Szoboszlai said.

"It's hard to win here. After 1-0 down, you still believe. At 2-0 down, it was our own fault to come in at half-time conceding another goal in the last minute. At 2-0, the chances are lower and lower.

"You come out and want to show we are able to come back and you concede a third one. From then on there is no more chance to come back."

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The Champions League is now Liverpool’s only remaining hope of silverware this season, but they face a momentous task against the reigning champions.

The Reds travel to Paris on Wednesday for the first leg of their quarter-final against PSG - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - and Szoboszlai called for a quick reset.

"We have to forget as much as we can and as soon as we can and just keep on fighting all the time,” he added.

"I always say when we do it and we are winning, when we don't do it we are losing. You have to fight, work hard, be there for each other and that's what we are missing sometimes."

Fowler: Liverpool ‘devoid of confidence’

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler was part of the TNT Sports team at the Etihad Stadium and was shocked by the manner of their collapse.

”Some of the changes were needed. [Joe] Gomez for [Jeremie] Frimpong probably wasn’t the right decision,” Fowler said.

”But, ultimately, they needed to do something to try and get back into the game, to try and change the confidence of the team, because I’ve never seen a Liverpool team so devoid of confidence after starting a game so well.

”They started the game so well, then all of a sudden, the confidence was gone. Case in point, Mo Salah. He had a few chances.

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”Hugo Ekitike looked a bit slow, looked a bit laboured. Mo’s chances - that’s a team devoid of confidence. It’s up to the manager to try and get these players a lift because they’ve got a massive game on Wednesday.

”If they go into that game and play like they did in the second half here, then there’s only going to be one winner.”

Fowler added: ”Arne Slot has to get the players to be better versions of what they are. You need leaders to drag people through tough times. That's what you need but we are not seeing that from the manager.”

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