The spotlight turns to Liverpool and Manchester City as they meet this Saturday in the FA Cup quarterfinal at the Etihad Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:45 AM ET. n the United States, the match will be available to watch live on ESPN+.
It’s a clash loaded with context: Pep Guardiola’s side is chasing a record eighth consecutive FA Cup semifinal, while Arne Slot‘s team arrive looking to stay alive in one of their last realistic paths to silverware this season.
Manchester City enter with momentum and dominance at home, having won 17 straight FA Cup matches at the Etihad and already beaten Liverpool twice in league play this season. Liverpool face added pressure amid injuries.
What happens if Liverpool beat Manchester City today?
If Liverpool beat Manchester City today, they will advance to the FA Cup semifinals and eliminate one of the tournament favorites. That result would send the English team to Wembley.
Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool (Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
From a competitive standpoint, it would be a significant statement win. Liverpool have already beaten City in recent domestic cup ties, winning four straight FA Cup meetings between the sides.
It would also break one of the strongest trends in English soccer right now: Manchester City have won 17 consecutive FA Cup matches at the Etihad Stadium, a run dating back to 2018.
What happens if Liverpool and Manchester City tie today?
If Liverpool and Manchester City tie today, the match will go to extra time and, if necessary, penalties to decide who advances. There are no replays at the quarterfinal stage of the FA Cup, so a winner must be determined at the Etihad.
This scenario introduces a completely different tactical dimension. Both Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola must plan for a potential 120-minute game, which becomes especially relevant given the physical demands of the season.
What happens if Liverpool lose to Manchester City today?
If Liverpool lose to Manchester City today, they will be eliminated from the FA Cup in the quarterfinals. The defeat would end their run immediately and remove a key opportunity to win a trophy this season.
The context makes this outcome particularly significant. Manchester City are pushing for a historic milestone; an eighth consecutive FA Cup semifinal appearance, something no club has achieved before.
