The Etihad away end at full-time was quite a sight, and it said a lot. The emptying began 57 minutes in, after Manchester City went 4-0 up against Liverpool. Just 20 minutes earlier, it had been 0-0. This was a total collapse, and the biggest margin of defeat of the Arne Slot era. The players crumbled mentally. The Liverpool fanbase's faith in Slot has completely crumbled too. The standards have fallen so far in just 12 months.

The first 35 minutes at the Etihad were actually positive for the defending Premier League champions. But the fragility of this squad returned once Haaland scored from the penalty spot. From then on it was an utterly miserable afternoon. And it was one that proved one thing: Slot's tenure HAS to end. He cannot be the manager at the start of next season.

There is little chance he departs before the two-legged tie with PSG is complete; otherwise, he would already have been axed. But this Liverpool team requires a divine miracle to beat PSG in the quarter-finals. If it gets a top-five Premier League finish, it will only be because...