Manchester City defeated Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick to send his side into the semi-finals. The victory marked City's eighth consecutive season reaching the FA Cup last four, and they will play at Wembley later this month.

Haaland opened the scoring by converting a penalty before heading in his second from an Antoine Semenyo cross. He completed the hat-trick by shooting into an open net. The win was City's 18th consecutive home victory in the FA Cup, breaking a record previously held by Clapham Rovers between December 1873 and February 1881.

"It's been some time since I have scored a hat-trick for City. It is special so I am super happy," Haaland said. It was his 12th hat-trick for the club since joining in 2022, the most by any player from Europe's top five leagues in that period. He became the third Premier League player to score in four consecutive home games against Liverpool, after Chris Sutton and Sergio Aguero.

Haaland had scored one goal in his previous seven games in all competitions before the quarter-final. He has now scored 46 goals in 50 games for club and country this season. "This club has to win trophies on the biggest stage," Haaland said.

City assistant coach Pep Lijnders took charge of the team and media duties while manager Pep Guardiola served the second game of a touchline ban. "Erling scored the 12th hat-trick today for Man City and the second goal was insane," Lijnders said. "He weighed the attack, he flies, the way he puts the ball into the corner. I love these old-school striker goals."

"He is not only lovely but he is a machine to work with," Lijnders said. "I like the guys who train like that. Compliments to him."

Under Guardiola, City have won 44 of their 52 FA Cup matches, scoring 157 goals. Middlesbrough were the last team to beat City at the Etihad in the FA Cup, 11 years ago.

City next travel to Chelsea in the Premier League on April 12 before hosting Arsenal seven days later. Former Premier League midfielder Leon Osman said: "You would expect them to win the game in hand and that game against Arsenal is crucial. The way they have been going, they certainly believe they will win."

Haaland will also represent Norway at this summer's World Cup, the country's first appearance at the tournament in 28 years. Lijnders said: "I am not saying he carries Norway, but we all know how important he is for them, he feels that responsibility."