On 4/4 at Etihad Stadium, Liverpool conceded four goals: a hat-trick from Erling Haaland and one goal from Antoine Semenyo. This was Liverpool's heaviest defeat under Slot and their most significant loss since 10/2020. It also marked their 15th defeat across all competitions this season, the most losses for Liverpool in a single season since 2014-2015, when they lost 18 matches under Brendan Rodgers.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Fowler expressed his deepest disappointment with the fourth goal conceded in the 57th minute. The 50-year-old former English forward criticized center-back Ibrahima Konate for giving up easily in a challenge with Jeremy Doku, allowing the home player to cut into the center and then slot a pass to Nico O'Reilly, who then crossed for Haaland to finish into an empty net, completing his hat-trick.

"Konate's reaction showed a losing attitude, as if he had surrendered," Fowler commented. "It was a beautiful goal, but I expected more from the defense. Konate simply gave up."

Haaland scored the final goal in Man City's 4-0 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinals at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, United Kingdom on 4/4. *Reuters*.

Fowler did not stop at individual criticism, directly addressing the role of the coaching staff and placing primary responsibility on manager Arne Slot. The former forward emphasized that he had never seen Liverpool play with such a lack of confidence, especially after the team started quite well but quickly lost control of the game following Man City's opening goal.

"Slot needs to help the players become better versions of themselves," Fowler stated. "You need leaders to pull the team through difficult periods, but we don't see that from the coach. I've never seen Liverpool so lacking in confidence after a positive start. The coach's job is to motivate the players."

Fowler played for Liverpool in two periods: 1993-2001 and 2006-2007. He scored a total of 128 Premier League goals, the second-best record in the club's history.

Salah looked disappointed after missing a penalty against Man City. *PA*.

In this match, Mohamed Salah disappointed by missing several clear-cut opportunities, including a missed penalty kick in the 64th minute. Fowler admitted he lacked confidence in Salah as soon as the Egyptian forward stepped up to the 11m spot. "Based on his previous performance and missed opportunities, I thought he would miss," he said.

Sharing a similar view, Scottish legend Ally McCoist suggested that Salah was a shadow of his former self. Former goalkeeper Joe Hart remarked that Salah showed clear signs of mental decline. "We're used to seeing Salah confident, but today he played without confidence and was clearly disappointed," he shared.

In their next match, on 8/4, Liverpool will travel to face PSG in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.

Compiled by Hong Duy