Analysis: Day to forget for sorry Salah
Arne Slot's side had won only one of their previous four games coming into this FA Cup tie and, after a bright first half hour, they were swept aside by Manchester City in a manner that will lead to more questions about the Dutchman's future. Many of the 8,000-strong travelling support exited the stadium to head back along the M62 long before the final whistle and now Liverpool only have the Champions League as a possible trophy this season. Mohamed Salah is one of Liverpool and the Premier League's greatest players, but this was a day to forget for the Egypt forward.
He dwelled too long on a good opportunity after a clearance by Giorgi Mamardashvili to allow Abdukodir Khusanov to get back and block his strike and was then thwarted by James Trafford with a weak shot from an angle. His dismal day was complete when the new England goalkeeper dived to his left to keep out a spot-kick that was well-struck but at a good height for Trafford. Virgil van Dijk has been one of Liverpool's best players in a season of very few good performers for the reigning league champions but the Netherlands centre-back has had a handful of poor games - and this was another.
He crudely chopped down Nico O'Reilly for City's opener and was caught out when Antoine Semenyo darted in behind him for his goal. This has been a thoroughly wretched campaign for the Reds and before they resume their battle to qualify for next season's Champions League, Slot's out-of-form side face a daunting trip to holders Paris St-Germain in the quarter-finals of Europe's elite competition on Wednesday.