Pep Lijnders heaps praise on Man City duo after Liverpool win and reveals Guardiola reaction
· Yahoo Sports
- Man City become the first club in FA Cup history to reach eight consecutive semi-finals.
- Haaland silenced critics with his 28th career hat-trick, moving City closer to a domestic double.
- Pep Lijnders praised the mentality of Haaland and the calm speed of Abdukodir Khusanov.
Manchester City’s stand-in head coach during the 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool has heaped praise on two key members of the squad from the win.
Erling Haaland rediscovered his clinical edge with a spectacular hat-trick as City dismantled an insipid Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, securing a record-extending eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final berth.
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Despite Pep Guardiola serving the second game of a touchline ban, the newly-crowned Carabao Cup winners dominated proceedings, with Haaland converting a 38th-minute penalty won by Nico O’Reilly before doubling the lead with a header from Antoine Semenyo’s cross just before the interval.
Match Report & Player Ratings: Manchester City 4-0 Liverpool (FA Cup Quarter Final)
While Liverpool had early chances through Florian Wirtz and a wasteful Mo Salah – who later saw a second-half penalty saved by James Trafford – City remained ruthless, as Semenyo clipped in a delightful third and Haaland completed his 28th career hat-trick to seal progression and keep the club’s domestic cup double ambitions firmly on track.
The “Fast and Calm” anchor of City’s defence
Speaking to reporters during the post-match press conference, assistant manager Pep Lijnders was quizzed for his thoughts on yet another impressive performance from central defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
“Every time I see Khusa [Abdukodir Khusanov] on the training pitch, in the hall, I say [to him], ‘FAST! FAST!’ He’s so fast! But he is calm as well, he defends so smart, and it helps if you have a lot of speed in the back,” said the Dutchman.
Lijnders hails Haaland’s 28th career hat-trick
Erling Haaland was another star performer, after the Norwegian’s hat-trick developed either side of the half-time interval was enough to put the game well beyond the reach of the Merseysiders.
“Feeling the responsibility, and press, and play, and come to set, and run in-behind, and to be in the box available, and to keep the ball when the oppositions defends man-to-man; there are a lot of things we ask [of him]. And to do that every three days,” Lijnders said.
“It shows character again, and mentality that he comes back in this fashion! He’s a machine to work with, and I like the guys who train like that – compliments to him!”
Guardiola “really pleased” as City chase domestic double
Lijnders was managing the side from the touchline whilst head coach Pep Guardiola watched on from the stands, serving the second of a two-game ban for an accumulation of yellow cards in domestic action.
“Pep [Guardiola] is really pleased, that’s most important. It’s not easy to please him,” Lijnders revealed. “We played a good game. First 25 minutes were too open. Then we started to control and created more chances. We deserved [the win].
“He [Guardiola] complimented the guys who played the last weeks and didn’t play today. He was really happy because it’s special if you go eight times to Wembley in eight years in a row. It’s finals now, the part of the season where business has to be done. The boys feel that.
“Wembley is special, I’m happy for the fans. These are special days.”
“Not good enough” – Erling Haaland dissects recent Manchester City struggles after Liverpool FA Cup hat-trick
For Manchester City, the dominant victory represents a historic milestone as they become the first club to reach eight consecutive FA Cup semi-finals, keeping their ambitions for a domestic cup double firmly alive.
Having already secured the Carabao Cup last month with a win over Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side has now successfully booked their return to Wembley on the weekend of April 25-26.
Beyond the tactical masterclass displayed in the absence of their manager, the result provides another psychological boost heading into a defining April schedule, with Erling Haaland back in peak goal-scoring form and a nine-point gap to close on Arsenal in the Premier League.