{"id":517134,"date":"2026-04-07T06:19:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T06:19:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/517134\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T06:19:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T06:19:12","slug":"john-aldridge-hits-out-at-two-liverpool-players-after-unacceptable-actions-vs-man-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/517134\/","title":{"rendered":"John Aldridge hits out at two Liverpool players after &#8216;unacceptable&#8217; actions vs Man City"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Liverpool hero John Aldridge hasn&#8217;t held back in his assessment after two Liverpool players caused controversy during the heavy FA Cup defeat to Manchester City<\/p>\n<p>James Findlater  Content Editor<\/p>\n<p>21:44, 06 Apr 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Liverpool management team (L-R) Liverpool Legends' manager Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool Legends' manager Ian Rush, guest, Liverpool Legends' manager John Aldridge and Liverpool Legends' manager Jurgen Klopp, line up ahead of the Legends football match between Liverpool Legends and Dortmund Legends at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on March 28, 2026. (Photo by PETER POWELL \/ AFP via Getty Images)\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_GettyImages-2268273697.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"John Aldridge has criticized two Liverpool players after the defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">John Aldridge has criticized two Liverpool players after the defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has heavily criticized Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike after Saturday\u2019s defeat to Manchester City, even going as far to brand one of the players\u2019 actions as \u201cunacceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Reds\u2019 hopes of claiming some domestic silverware this season were ended <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/liverpool-fc-news\/features\/man-city-talking-points-salah-33715828\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">after they were thrashed 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium<\/a>, piling even <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/liverpool-fc-news\/features\/arne-slot-firing-liverpool-fans-33720077\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">more pressure on under-fire boss Arne Slot in the process<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fans made their feelings clear as <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/liverpool-fc-news\/xabi-alonso-arne-slot-liverpool-33719217\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">a large number of them left the game early while singing Xabi Alonso\u2019s name<\/a> &#8211; the former midfielder is the favorite to take over should Liverpool decide to fire Slot.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33720077\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/liverpool-fc-news\/features\/arne-slot-firing-liverpool-fans-33720077\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Arne Slot firing agreement reached as Liverpool fans make their feelings clear<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33720357\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/liverpool-fc-news\/features\/jurgen-klopp-arne-slot-future-33720357\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jurgen Klopp &#8216;waiting&#8217; for Liverpool as pressure grows on Arne Slot<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Those who stayed also made their displeasure clear, but were greeted with backlash from <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/all-about\/dominik-szoboszlai\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Szoboszlai<\/a>, who <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/liverpool-fc-news\/features\/dominik-szoboszlai-lashes-out-booing-33716884\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">gestured angrily to the traveling support <\/a>before being dragged away by <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/all-about\/federico-chiesa\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Federico Chiesa<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/liverpool-fc-news\/features\/dominik-szoboszlai-man-city-liverpool-33719896\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">The midfielder\u2019s reaction has not gone down well<\/a>, despite him being one of the few bright sparks for the Reds in an otherwise dismal season, and Aldridge wasn\u2019t impressed with what he saw from the Hungarian.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI am not sure exactly what Szoboszlai\u2019s point was and maybe something was lost in translation,\u201d Aldridge said in his column for the <a aria-label=\"Liverpool EchoLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/saw-something-id-never-seen-33722803\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Liverpool Echo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe is one of the few players who doesn\u2019t deserve a lot of criticism this year so I won\u2019t do that here, but it didn\u2019t look good.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool gestures to the away supporters after the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool on April 04, 2026 in Manchester, England\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_GettyImages-2269787326.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Dominik Szoboszlai took his frustration out on Liverpool fans after the defeat to Manchester City\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Dominik Szoboszlai took his frustration out on Liverpool fans after the defeat to Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe needs to understand that fans have every right to vent their spleen when they have just been so comprehensively outplayed the way they were against City on the day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Szoboszlai wasn\u2019t the only player in the firing line from Aldridge, with <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/all-about\/hugo-ekitike\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Ekitike<\/a> slammed for his actions after being substituted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The striker <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/liverpool-fc-news\/features\/hugo-eikitke-faces-backlash-after-33716680\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">swapped shirts with international teammate Rayan Cherki before the game had ended<\/a>, with the City star spotted wearing Ekitike\u2019s jersey while watching the game from the bench.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">That incident has also gone down poorly with supporters, with Aldridge not holding back in his assessment.<\/p>\n<p>Get LFC&#8217;s 2025\/26 season home and away kits<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/affiliates\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Liverpools-new-kit-at-the-re-opened-club-shop-at-AnfieldPic-Andrew-Teebay.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From $100<\/p>\n<p>LFC.com<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=76202X1761262&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.liverpoolfc.com%2Fkit%2Fshop-all-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">See the deal<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool&#8217;s home and away strips for the 2025\/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fans can order jerseys in the US at <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=76202X1761262&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanatics.com%2Fpremier-league%2Fliverpool%2Fo-76979351%2Bt-47645574%2Bz-84-1546382747\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Fanatics.com<\/a> or via the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=76202X1761262&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.liverpoolfc.com%2Fkit%2Fshop-all-kit\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">LFC Online Store<\/a> in both the US and across the world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHugo Ekitike swapping his shirt with France colleague Rayan Cherki while the game was going on was another strange one. That was unacceptable, I have to say,\u201d Aldridge added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cIncidents like that point to a lack of characters in the squad, the likes of <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/all-about\/steven-gerrard\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Steven Gerrard<\/a> or <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpool.com\/all-about\/jamie-carragher\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Jamie Carragher<\/a> wouldn\u2019t have tolerated that. Attitudes need to change; this is part of the wider problem at Liverpool right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool.com says: Aldo&#8217;s spot on. When you&#8217;re being thrashed by one of your biggest rivals, and the team&#8217;s already in poor form, you simply can&#8217;t be seen doing things like Szoboszlai and Ekitike did on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Hopefully they learn from that, but it is slightly worrying that they even need to. It&#8217;s just not a good look at all for Liverpool at the moment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Liverpool hero John Aldridge hasn&#8217;t held back in his assessment after two Liverpool players caused controversy during the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":517135,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[2237,218,942,134,2502,101,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-517134","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-dominik-szoboszlai","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-hugo-ekitike","11":"tag-liverpool-fc","12":"tag-manchester-city-fc","13":"tag-sports","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom","16":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/517134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=517134"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/517134\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/517135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=517134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=517134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=517134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}