Cherki Aims to Steal Show Again in FA Cup Quarter-Final Against Liverpool

Three kick-ups, a Ben White tackle, and the cheekiest grin in English football: Rayan Cherki turned Manchester City's Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal into a personal showcase, and he will look to make headlines again when City host Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The 22-year-old Frenchman performed three lackadaisical kick-ups during City's 2-0 victory over Arsenal at Wembley, prompting Arsenal defender Ben White to flatten him with a sliding challenge. Still on the ground, Cherki turned toward the nearest pitchside camera, flashed a huge grin and struck a playful, exaggerated pose that instantly spread across social media.

The France international was criticised in some quarters for juggling the ball with his side 2-0 up, with manager Pep Guardiola seen shaking his head in response to the trickery. The moment came shortly after Nico O'Reilly had doubled City's lead at Wembley. Whatever Guardiola's initial displeasure, unseen footage later showed Guardiola embracing Cherki after the forward was substituted towards the end of the Carabao Cup final triumph, a moment that itself went viral.

The episode underscored both Cherki's natural talent and his willingness to perform on the grandest stages. In the 2025-26 Premier League season, Cherki has recorded three goals and eight assists in 25 appearances, averaging a FotMob rating of 7.29. Since joining City in June 2025 on a contract running to 2030, the former Lyon playmaker has quickly established himself as one of the most watchable players in the top flight.

Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final takes place at the Etihad Stadium on April 4, with kick-off set for 12:45, broadcast live in the United Kingdom on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max. City earned their spot in the last eight with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Newcastle, while a 3-1 win at Wolves in the fifth round earned Arne Slot's Liverpool a trip to the Etihad in the last eight.

A place at Wembley is on the line for both sides, adding another layer of stakes to a rivalry that already carries enormous weight. For Cherki, the occasion offers a stage perfectly suited to his instincts: when the scrutiny is highest and the crowd is loudest, he has shown an appetite for the moment that few players his age can match.