FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw: City vs Liverpool Steals the Show

Blimey, the FA Cup quarterfinal draw for the 2025-26 season has landed, and it's served up a proper humdinger right out the gate. Manchester City hosting Liverpool? That's not just a tie; it's a full-on Premier League grudge match transplanted to the cup. With their last league ding-dong ending in late drama, expect fireworks, mate – goals, gaffes, and maybe a touchline tussle between the gaffers.

City are chasing a quadruple, fresh off a gritty 3-1 comeback against Newcastle at the weekend. Liverpool, meanwhile, shook off a fresh Molineux nightmare – losing there in the league just days before scraping past Wolves in the cup. Revenge? You bet. This one's got more spice than a vindaloo.

Underdogs and Giant-Killers Light Up the Slate

Not every tie's a heavyweight slugfest, though. Chelsea dodged the big boys again, drawing Port Vale at Stamford Bridge. The League One scrappers, fighting relegation, stunned dozy Sunderland in the fifth round for their first quarterfinal in 72 years. Gaffer Jon Brady called it a 'pain in the bum' – privilege mixed with terror. Fair play, that's cup football at its cheekiest.

Arsenal fancy a repeat of their last quarterfinal run, which ended in trophy glory six years back. They've pulled Southampton, the Championship side looking to spoil Mikel Arteta's quadruple hunt across league, cups, and Europe. The Gunners face a mad few weeks, but Arteta's silverware drought ends here, or so he hopes.

Leeds United, buzzing after reaching the last eight for the first time since 2003, face the winner of West Ham or Brentford (sorted Monday night). The Whites are riding high on cup fever – could this be their ticket back to Wembley dreams?

Full Draw, Dates, and European Headaches

Here's the full 2025-26 FA Cup quarterfinal draw:

• Southampton vs Arsenal

• Chelsea vs Port Vale

• Manchester City vs Liverpool

• West Ham/Brentford vs Leeds United

Action kicks off the first weekend of April 2026, clashing with Easter and just before Champions League quarterfinal first legs. Four of these lot are still in Europe, adding to the chaos.

Arsenal are odds-on to bin a weakened Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, while Liverpool should handle Galatasaray (sans their top keeper). But City revisit Real Madrid rivalry, and Chelsea tackle champs PSG. Juggling that lot with cup ties? Brutal.

For context, the road to here:

| Round | Weekend |

|-------|---------|

| First Round | Nov 1, 2025 |

| Second | Dec 6, 2025 |

| Third | Jan 10, 2026 |

| Fourth | Feb 14, 2026 |

| Fifth | Mar 7, 2026 |

| Quarters | Apr 4, 2026 |

| Semis | Apr 25, 2026 |

| Final | May 16, 2026 |

The holders are already out, so it's wide open. Original reporting by Football365 (OneFootball) highlights how this draw keeps the magic alive – Prem giants vs plucky minnows, with a blockbuster to boot. Grab your scarf; the madness is just warming up.

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