Dion Dublin lays into Liverpool stars for 'not taking responsibility' vs Man City

Dion Dublin didn't pull his punches in shaming Liverpool for their embarrassing performance in Sunday's 4-0 FA Cup quarterfinal defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad

Dion Dublin has slammed Liverpool after their 4-0 FA Cup defeat(Image: Getty)

Dion Dublin laid into Liverpool players for “not taking responsibility” during their 4-0 FA Cup quarterfinal demolition at the hands of Manchester City.

The Reds were knocked out of the FA Cup, one of two remaining competitions that could bear silverware come the end of the season, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick at the Etihad and former Liverpool target Antoine Semenyo getting the other. To make matters worse for Arne Slot’s side, former longtime Jurgen Klopp assistant Pep Lijnders was patrolling the City sideline, with Pep Guardiola serving a two-game suspension.

Liverpool had the chance to pull a goal back from 4-1 down and give themselves a fighting chance of staging a comeback. However, Mohamed Salah missed from the penalty spot as the Reds remained scoreless. It follows Salah's dramatic departure, scheduled for the end of this season.

Former Aston Villa and Manchester United striker Dublin didn’t pull his punches on BBC Radio 5 Live, slamming Slot’s Reds for shirking responsibility as City ran riot in a one-sided beatdown.

“What I'm seeing here is a lot of players who are not really wanting to take responsibility with the way they are playing,” Dublin said.

“The worst thing about it is when something like this happens, and you're not pointing fingers at each other, something is wrong,” Dublin continued.

"Liverpool sloped off and I would imagine they were very embarrassed by the scoreline and the performance. When a red shirt had the ball they didn't have many options," he added.

Arne Slot, manager/head coach of Liverpool, reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match against Manchester City.(Image: Getty)

"It tells me a lot of those Liverpool players didn't want the responsibility of the ball. It was a poor performance, they are a lot better than what we have seen today. To get embarrassed like they did today is going to stick with them."

Ally McCoist wasn’t shy either, describing Liverpool, the defending Premier League champions, as “well beaten.”

Pressure is continuing to build around manager Slot, who is well out of the Premier League title race, missed out on the League Cup, and is now knocked out of the FA Cup, leaving just the Champions League up for grabs.

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler questioned Slot’s decision to start Joe Gomez instead of summer signing Jeremie Frimpong. He described the Reds as “devoid of confidence,” in a damning assessment of Slot’s Reds.

Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool gestures to the away supporters during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool on April 04, 2026, in Manchester, England.(Image: Getty)

“Some of the changes were probably needed. Gomez for Frimpong probably wasn’t the right decision. But ultimately, they needed to do something to try and get back into the game and try and maybe change the confidence of the team,” Fowler said.

“I’ve never seen a Liverpool team so devoid of confidence after starting a game so well. They started the game so well, and then all of a sudden, the confidence was just gone.

“Case in point, Mo Salah, a few chances, Ekitike looked a bit slow and labored. That’s a team that is devoid of confidence. It’s up to the manager to go in and try and get these players and give them a lift.

“They have a massive game on Wednesday. That is the conversation now because if they go into the game and play in the way they did in the second half there, then there’s only going to be one winner.”

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool looks dejected after the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool on April 04, 2026, in Manchester, England.(Image: Getty)

Liverpool fans are also questioning Slot’s long-term future at Anfield. Concerns over his ability to lead his players come less than a year after their barnstorming Premier League win.

“Look, I feel sorry for Arne Slot as a man. I do. He brought us a memorable Premier League title but if the players are literally not willing to try the hardest they can, where can we possibly go from here?” one fan said.

“Do managers suddenly regain this belief from players? If they do it's incredible rare. The players absolutely have to take responsibility too. I want to be as respectful as possible but if the players are not willing to put their body on the line what hope have we.

“It was particularly bad against Brighton. Literally watched the opposition run past us. That was a major red flag for me. 15 losses we are heading for. 15.”