Florian Wirtz has publicly pushed back against Virgil van Dijk’s assertion that Liverpool “gave up” during their 4–0 loss to Manchester City, while manager Arne Slot delivered a far sterner appraisal of how the goals were conceded.

Asked about Van Dijk’s comments before Wednesday’s meeting with Paris Saint-Germain, Wirtz said: “I didn’t know about this, that he said this,” and added: “But I think I would not agree directly because we still tried to create chances to turn the game around.” He acknowledged the psychological strain of a heavy deficit: “Of course, when the game gets longer, and it is in the 80th minute, and you are 3–0 down, it is mentally difficult to go and go and go.”

Wirtz defended his team’s effort through the closing stages. “We just tried to give our best in the game—also when it was 3–0 or 4–0. I think we also had a few chances then. This is not our standards that we lose 4–0 to City. We wanted to go through the round. Next year, we should go better and be better on the pitch.”

The result was particularly galling for supporters and the manager because of the manner in which the defeat unfolded. After an opening first-half blitz from Erling Haaland, the Liverpool defence began making a string of sloppy errors and the side failed to recover.

Slot, speaking to TNT Sports, made clear this was not an isolated worry: “It’s not the first time this season that we’ve conceded goals that were a concern to me.” He continued: “Now there were four in one game, four chances conceded, four goals conceded. That’s not the first time this season. I think many times this season we’ve only conceded one or two chances and those were goals.”

On the pattern of mistakes, Slot said: “So the manner we conceded them, I think I could separate them ‘two and two’ where every goal you concede something goes wrong, and you would like to improve something, but two out of the four were goals I hated more to concede than the other two.”

Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a blunt assessment of Liverpool’s display after Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, saying the team lacked the required mentality and commitment in key moments. The midfielder singled out a missing collective will to compete as the reason for the heavy loss and the cup exit.

“The fighting spirit wasn’t there enough. The mentality wasn’t there enough. None of us were there to be honest as much as we could,” Szoboszlai said after the final whistle. He expanded on the frustration, adding: “I don’t know [why it happens]. It’s hard to find words to be honest. We wanted this one so much. You lose 4–0 at City and it’s not the best. I always say when we do [fight] we are winning, when we don’t do it we are losing. You have to fight, work hard, be there for each other.

“That’s what we are missing sometimes.”

When Szoboszlai’s comments were put to Slot, the Dutchman narrowed his concern to the opening period after half time. City led by two at the interval and scored their third and fourth within 12 minutes of the restart. Slot pointed to specific moments that shifted the game and to a lack of intensity after the break.

“I should ask Dom what he means and in what period of time,” Slot said. “I did not feel this until the moment they scored to make it 1–0. At 1–0 we were still in the game, but twice we conceded from us having a throw-in. They are fast but those are the moments where you have to defend sharper.

“The second goal was similar to one we conceded here earlier this season and again we conceded just before half time here. I missed the fighting spirit definitely in the first 10 minutes after half time. Afterwards that it was just a game where both teams accepted it was 4–0.

“I missed fighting spirit in that period and the willingness to win the duel, to be there first and to make it difficult for either a pass, a cross or a finish.”

Slot added that individual lapses around runs, crosses and duels explained the goals conceded. With the FA Cup gone, Liverpool now turn their focus to the Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain. Szoboszlai urged unity ahead of that tie: “It’s a hard time but we have to stick together,” Szoboszlai said. “On Wednesday there is another chance but we have to get it in our head this is not the season we would like to end.”

Manchester City have responded to Rodri’s reported approach from Real Madrid by offering the midfielder a new contract, according to Fabrizio Romano. The club’s presentation of fresh terms comes after comments during the international break that suggested interest from Real and left some supporters uneasy given Rodri’s existing deal, which runs through June 2027.

City have reportedly handed a new deal to the 29-year-old. The choice now sits with Rodri: sign the extension and remain at the Etihad, or explore a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid. If he declines the contract on offer, there are two clear outcomes laid out by the club’s position. He could depart Manchester this summer or see out his current agreement and leave as a free agent next summer.

Should Rodri pursue an exit this summer, City are understood to be prepared to demand a substantial transfer fee. Romano reports they would ask for a “big fee” despite the player’s recent fitness issues and what has been described as a plateaued run of form. That stance could complicate any move for Real, given the Spanish club’s recent transfer approach.

Real Madrid have tended to prioritise signing high-profile players on free transfers, waiting until contracts expire before completing deals. While the club will pay for targets they value, the prospect of paying a large sum for an older midfielder with a history of injury concerns would represent a departure from the strategy that has served them in recent transfer windows. Reports suggest Real might have hoped to use signs of Rodri’s slight decline to negotiate a more favourable price.

Rodri was not the only Premier League midfielder linked with Madrid during the international period. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández expressed his desire to live in Spain, specifically Madrid, amid a difficult period at Stamford Bridge.