Liverpool 4-0 Accrington Stanley: Chiesa Nets First Reds Goal in FA Cup Win
Liverpool eased past League Two side Accrington Stanley with a commanding 4-0 victory in the FA Cup third round at Anfield. The Premier League leaders showcased their dominance with goals from Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jayden Danns, and Federico Chiesa. The result underlined the significant gulf in quality between the two teams, despite Accrington’s spirited effort.
The opening goal came in the 28th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold orchestrated a counterattack following an Accrington free-kick. A precise pass sent Darwin Núñez surging down the right flank, and his pinpoint cross found Diogo Jota, who tapped in to break the deadlock. Alexander-Arnold then doubled the lead just before halftime with a stunning strike from outside the box, his curling effort finding the far top corner and leaving goalkeeper Billy Crellin helpless.
The match marked a historic moment for Liverpool’s 16-year-old prodigy, Rio Ngumoha, who became the youngest player to start a competitive match and make an FA Cup appearance for the club. Ngumoha’s composed performance was met with applause from the Anfield faithful when he was substituted in the 72nd minute.
His replacement, 18-year-old Jayden Danns, made an immediate impact. Just four minutes after coming on, he pounced on a rebound from Crellin’s save on Federico Chiesa’s shot to score Liverpool’s third goal. This marked Danns’ third FA Cup goal for the Reds, continuing his impressive form in the competition. Federico Chiesa then capped off the performance in the 90th minute, firing into the bottom corner after hitting the woodwork earlier. The Italian forward’s goal was his first for Liverpool and a glimpse of what he could bring to the team.
Accrington had moments of promise despite the result. Josh Woods came close in the 57th minute when his powerful strike rattled the crossbar. Playing at Anfield was a special occasion for Woods, whose father once worked at the stadium as a matchday steward. Another opportunity arose in the 65th minute when Shaun Whalley’s cross found Donald Love unmarked in Liverpool’s box, but Love’s header went over the bar, reflecting Accrington’s inability to capitalize on their limited chances.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised the visitors for their effort, stating, “Credit to them. I think they showed their style of play, which is a big compliment. In the end, the difference in quality made the result inevitable.”
This victory extended Liverpool’s unbeaten streak in home FA Cup ties to eight matches since 2018 and demonstrated the promise of their academy talents like Ngumoha and Danns. With contributions from youth and experience, Liverpool’s comprehensive performance reaffirmed their intent to make a deep run in this year’s FA Cup campaign
