Published: 15:32, 4 April 2026 | Updated: 15:34, 4 April 2026

With fourteen minutes left of this thoroughly ruthless dismantling of Liverpool by Manchester City, two great forwards left the field.

One of them, Erling Haaland of Manchester City, had a hat-trick to his name and can see opportunity beckoning, in the FA Cup and maybe even the Premier League.

For the other, Mo Salah of Liverpool, a fabulous journey into Anfield legend and folklore is coming to an end wrapped up in humiliation and embarrassment. As such it is thoroughly painful to witness.

Liverpool were competitive for half an hour at the Etihad Stadium but just dreadful thereafter. Weak and feckless in body and mind, they were Easter lambs dressed in red.

If manager Arne Slot survives the wreckage of this catastrophic season, it will be some surprise.

Salah – closely followed by his captain Virgil van Dijk – was just about the worst of Slot’s dismal players, though there were other candidates. With only the Champions League left to fight for – Liverpool are at PSG on Tuesday – his farewell lap...