Liverpool star dismisses excuses after abysmal Man City defeat | OneFootball

Crisis deepens after Etihad humiliation

Liverpool’s season lurched into darker territory under the Etihad lights, where Man City dismantled them with ruthless precision in a 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat. This was not merely a loss; it was a structural exposure. The gaps between midfield lines, the fragility in defensive transitions, and the lack of cutting edge in decisive moments painted a portrait of a side drifting from elite standards.

Dominik Szoboszlai did not attempt to soften the blow. Speaking in remarks carried by the original source, the Hungarian midfielder delivered a brutally honest assessment that cut through any lingering illusions surrounding Liverpool’s campaign. His verdict was stark: this has been a “catastrophic” season.

Man City, by contrast, operated with the clarity and control of a team that understands its identity. Erling Haaland’s hat-trick underlined their attacking efficiency, while Liverpool’s missed opportunities — including a costly penalty — reinforced a narrative of wastefulness that has plagued them all season.

Photo: IMAGO

Szoboszlai’s verdict lays bare Liverpool flaws

Szoboszlai’s post-match comments were not the usual platitudes of a beaten player. Instead, they carried the tone of a dressing room reckoning. His analysis of the match pinpointed the psychological turning point rather than a single moment of misfortune.

“I don’t think the penalty was the turning point, rather it was the second goal conceded that changed the game. There is one minute left, and you could go into the half-time at 1-0, and you concede another one before that, it’s not a positive thing to come out afterwards feeling like you still have a chance away against Manchester City. Because I think few teams can come back from 2-0 down against City. So I would say the second goal was the turning point.”

That statement reveals a deeper issue within Liverpool’s mentality. Against a side like Man City, control of marginal moments is everything. Conceding late in a half is not just tactical failure; it is psychological collapse. Szoboszlai’s words suggest a team aware of its vulnerabilities but struggling to correct them in real time.

Excuses dismissed as accountability demanded

There has been a temptation in recent weeks to attribute Liverpool’s uneven performances to fatigue, particularly following international duty. Szoboszlai rejected that narrative outright, insisting that elite football demands accountability rather than justification.

“This cannot be an excuse, they were also in the national team in the same way, and they also played matches in the same way. If you are not ready, then say so and then you start on the bench. The fact that a person is tired, or that we have to play at 12:45, or that this is an FA Cup match, these are all excuses. I think the better team won, of course it showed, we should have decided the match in the first half because we had our chances.”

That level of candour is rare and telling. It points to internal frustration and a recognition that Liverpool’s problems are self-inflicted. In elite environments, margins are defined by execution, not circumstance. Szoboszlai’s refusal to hide behind scheduling or fatigue signals a demand for higher standards within the squad.

Champions League fears grow for Liverpool

Beyond the immediate fallout of the defeat to Man City lies a more pressing concern: Liverpool’s standing in European football. With a Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain looming, the stakes have escalated dramatically.

Szoboszlai did not shy away from outlining the consequences of continued underperformance.

“We have to pull ourselves together, because if we play like this, we can very quickly forget about the Champions League participation, and next year’s Champions League participation as well. So we have to look into ourselves and start thinking about how we can turn this catastrophic season into a season we can remember.”

This is where the narrative sharpens. Liverpool are not simply battling for form; they are fighting to preserve their place among Europe’s elite. Failure to qualify for the Champions League would have tactical, financial, and reputational repercussions.

The Etihad defeat may yet prove to be a watershed moment. Whether it becomes a catalyst for resurgence or a confirmation of decline depends on how Liverpool respond in the coming weeks. Szoboszlai has set the tone — now the rest of the squad must match it.