Erling Haaland Eyes More Trophies As Manchester City Chase Silverware

Erling Haaland fired Manchester City into the FA Cup semi-finals with a ruthless hat-trick against Liverpool, underlining a clear aim to drive another trophy push. The 3-0 quarter-final victory sent Pep Guardiola's team back to Wembley, while also extending Haaland's personal scoring records in both this campaign and previous meetings with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City already have one trophy in 2025-26 after beating Arsenal in the EFL Cup final, yet Haaland insisted expectations remain higher. "I have been in an FA Cup final, and now we are going to Wembley. This club has to win trophies on the biggest stage," Haaland told TNT Sports, stating the importance of more major honours this season.

Haaland's treble against Liverpool continued a prolific spell across competitions since joining Manchester City in July 2022. The striker has now produced 12 hat-tricks for the club in all tournaments, the most by any player across Europe's top five leagues in that period. That figure moves Haaland one clear of Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane, who has 11 hat-tricks.

The Norwegian also kept an impressive streak going against Liverpool on home soil. Haaland has now scored in four successive home appearances against Liverpool in all competitions, netting five goals in that stretch. Since the Premier League began in 1992-93, only Chris Sutton and Sergio Aguero had previously scored in at least four straight home matches against Liverpool.

Although the final scoreline favoured Manchester City, Liverpool started the tie sharply and created early pressure. Mohamed Salah shot wide under pressure from Abdukodir Khusanov, then Hugo Ekitike fired over after a loose touch from Rodri. Once City moved ahead, however, Guardiola's team controlled the contest and rarely appeared likely to concede momentum or territory.

The breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute when Haaland struck to open the scoring after sustained pressure. City doubled the advantage during first-half stoppage time, with Haaland finishing a flowing team attack to claim a second goal personally. The home side remained aggressive after the interval, continuing to pin Liverpool back and create clear chances.

Antoine Semenyo added the third goal after the restart, lofting the ball over Giorgi Mamardashvili to tighten City's grip. Haaland then completed the hat-trick in the 57th minute, driving a fierce effort that clipped the crossbar before dropping in. The forward's finishing left Liverpool with no way back and confirmed another Wembley appearance for City.

The numbers behind the game highlighted Manchester City's control after the opening half-hour. Both sides attempted 11 shots, yet City produced a higher expected goals value, finishing with an xG of 2.5 compared with Liverpool's 1.43. Salah later missed a penalty in the second half, further damaging Liverpool's hopes of a comeback and underlining wasteful attacking moments.

"Amazing. In the first half, we struggled a bit, but we kept going after 30 minutes. Amazing, another Wembley trip for us which is important," Haaland added. "Between 30 minutes and 60, that is one of our better performances [of the season]." Haaland viewed that spell as the period where City's pressing, control and finishing came together best.

Haaland's latest treble moved the striker to 33 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City in the 2025-26 season. Yet the number nine suggested personal form had not always met expectations across the campaign. "It has been too up and down, which has not been good enough," Haaland said, assessing recent performances in direct fashion.

Haaland also reflected on Manchester City's wider situation in European competition, acknowledging frustration at missing from the Champions League schedule. "For now it is a long week for us because we are not in the Champions League, which is not good enough, but we have to face Chelsea, which is another game." Focus within the squad now shifts quickly towards that domestic fixture.

The result against Liverpool leaves Manchester City pursuing another FA Cup title alongside existing EFL Cup success. Haaland's scoring run, especially at the Etihad Stadium, strengthens City's position in knockout matches and adds pressure on future opponents, including Chelsea. The semi-final at Wembley will provide another measure of City's ability to sustain this level through the 2025-26 season.