Jurgen Klopp could only look on in disbelief as Liverpool scored their third goal against Manchester City in Saturday afternoon's FA Cup semi-final.
Ibrahima Konate opened the scoring and Sadio Mane was at the double as the Reds put City to the sword with a devastating first-half performance at Wembley Stadium. Konate rose above Nathan Ake to head in from a corner in the ninth minute before Mane capitalised on a disastrous error from goalkeeper Zack Steffen to covert from point-blank range.
The Senegalese superstar added his second just before the interval with a sublime volley from Thiago's clipped pass. The goal increased the party atmosphere among a jubilant Liverpool fanbase but Klopp had a very different reaction down on the touchline.
The German manager simply stared into space with a stunned expression as his side increased their lead over the Premier League leaders and all but booked their spot in the FA Cup final with one half of football to play. City are considered one of Europe's greatest teams and they have reached this season's Champions League semi-finals, so Klopp was not alone in his visible astonishment at the half-time scoreline.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer labelled Liverpool's performance "phenomenal" and credited Klopp with making changes to the XI which drew 3-3 with Benfica in midweek. "It's been a phenomenal performance from Liverpool," Shearer said on BBC One. "We said before the game how they might be a bit fresher from the changes that Jurgen had made in midweek and that has been the case. Right from the first whistle, they went after City, they closed them down, they won every first tackle, every second ball.
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"Yes, they've had a hand from Zack Steffen but that aside they have dominated from start to finish." Shearer's co-pundit and former City defender Micah Richards was equally spellbound by Liverpool's stunning first 45 minutes and pointed out they had a much better start than in last Sunday's 2-2 draw at the Etihad. "Extraordinary game," Richards - who won the FA Cup with the Sky Blues in 2011 - added.
"Thing with Manchester City, last week in the 2-2 they started fast. Liverpool, however, have been on it from the first minute and City didn't know what to do with that." Although Liverpool appeared to have an unassailable lead at half-time, City hit back just two minutes after the interval as Jack Grealish scored from close range following fantastic work in the penalty area from Gabriel Jesus. The other FA Cup semi-final pits Chelsea against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
