Liverpool and City set for FA Cup semi-final clash
Liverpool and Manchester City’s bid for historic trophy-winning hauls will clash in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley next month after they came through their last eight ties in differing fashion on Sunday (Mar 20).
City finally got the better of Southampton at the third attempt this season with a 4-1 win, while Liverpool needed a late Diogo Jota strike to see off Championship side Nottingham Forest 1-0.
City are aiming to match Manchester United’s historic feat in 1998/99 of winning the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup, while Liverpool, who trail Pep Guardiola’s men by one point at the top of the table, are aiming to go one better by adding those three trophies to the League Cup they won in February.
“It was a proper Cup match,” said Klopp. “I know they don’t get anything for it, but a massive compliment to them, they played a really good game.”
With only 11 minjtes remaining Jota scored the winner as he stretched to meet Kostas Tsimikas’ cross for his 19th goal of the season.
Despite late pressure, Liverpool held on to book a meeting with City when one side’s quest for history will come to an end.
Despite a more resounding scoreline, City struggled for the first hour at St. Mary’s as a Southampton side that held the English champions twice in the league this season caused them problems once more.
Raheem Sterling opened the scoring with a cool finish before Aymeric Laporte deflected Mohamed Elyounoussi's cross into his own net for the equaliser.
A second-half Kevin De Bruyne penalty and further strikes from Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez rounded off City’s emphatic win.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace will face Chelsea in the other semi-final after thrashing struggling Everton 4-0 at Selhurst Park.
Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Wilfried Zaha and Will Hughes got the goals as the Eagles continued their impressive first season under Patrick Vieira.
“Going to Wembley is fantastic,” said Vieira.
“You can hear the atmosphere in the stadium, the fans; this is what they wanted and we wanted to give it to them.”