Fowler Tears Into Konate's "Defeatist" Display as Liverpool Crumbles at Etihad

Robbie Fowler has rounded on a Liverpool defender for surrendering too easily during the Reds' comprehensive 4-0 demolition at Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-final.

Erling Haaland's hat-trick and a strike from Antoine Semenyo powered Pep Guardiola's side to a dominant victory at the Etihad.

Speaking during his TNT Sports analysis, Fowler singled out Ibrahima Konate for capitulating against Jeremy Doku during the build-up to Haaland's third goal and City's fourth. "You know you have tough times, I mentioned before about leaders, just look at the reaction from Konate, that's like a defeatist attitude, someone who sort of gives in," the former striker said.

"Don't get me wrong, it's a great finish, the movement is great, it's a good goal by City, but I actually want a bit more from my team defensively, I think Konate just gives in. I've seen it on more than one occasion this year with him where the ball goes past him and he's quick to sort of give in."

The performance was equally troubling for Mohamed Salah, who wasted several decent opportunities before James Trafford denied his tame penalty effort.

Fowler admitted he had little faith in the Egyptian stepping up to the spot. "I've got to be honest, no," he responded when asked if he was confident about the penalty. "I think that was not only because of his performance but because of the chances he missed. He has got the quality to change games but today he just wasn't at it from the off. He put the ball down and for my sins I actually thought he was going to miss that. I hate myself for thinking that."

Fellow pundit Ally McCoist was equally unimpressed, describing Salah as a "shadow" of his former self. After the match, Arne Slot acknowledged that the penalty miss epitomized Liverpool's broader struggles. "I wouldn't focus on one player, I would focus on the team and that probably sums up us today but also maybe large parts of the season," the manager said.

"I think it is the second one he missed and Dominik Szoboszlai also already missed a penalty so it's not only that we miss big chances, this season we have missed a few penalties. In the first half there was a chance for Mo when we played the fast counter attack. Unfortunately that didn't go in and you have to score goals if you want to have a chance to win the game."