Liverpool secured their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley at Anfield.
The Reds broke the deadlock after 29 minutes in a game that initially lacked clear chances, as a rare Accrington attack was swiftly neutralized. Diogo Jota capitalized on the moment and calmly finished off a well-executed counter-attack with a composed strike.
Trent Alexander-Arnold extended Liverpool’s lead shortly after, unleashing a fierce shot from the edge of the box that soared into the top corner, lifting the spirits of both the players and the fans after recent setbacks.
It was a smooth afternoon for Arne Slot, who rotated his squad effectively. Substitutes Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa provided the finishing touches, ensuring the result was secured. Slot managed to give key players some rest while integrating younger talents seamlessly into the team. The clean sheet was another positive outcome, keeping Liverpool firmly in contention for the next round.
Here, Strictly Liverpool reviews the performances of those who took part in the match..
Caoimhin Kelleher – 7/10
A quiet afternoon for Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper. While he wasn’t tested often, he showed good composure with the ball at his feet and dealt comfortably with any potential danger. The clean sheet was well-earned.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9/10
Simply magnificent. His pinpoint passing and attacking instincts set the tone for Liverpool’s dominance. Played a key role in the first goal and scored a spectacular strike from range to double the lead. Substituted after 61 minutes to a well-deserved ovation.
Jarell Quansah – 7/10
Steady and assured at the back. While there were moments of hesitancy on the ball, he grew into the game and did his part in keeping a clean sheet. A promising display from the young defender.
Wataru Endō – 9/10
A workhorse in the heart of the defense. His physical presence and relentless energy stifled Accrington’s rare attempts to break forward. Showed his versatility and tactical intelligence throughout the game.
Kostas Tsimikas – 7/10
Frequently ventured forward and worked well with Ngumoha on the left flank. Delivered some dangerous crosses but had little to do defensively. A solid performance.
Tyler Morton – 6/10
An unspectacular but tidy display in midfield. Kept things simple and maintained possession well but didn’t impose himself on the game. Substituted after 61 minutes.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7/10
Showed glimpses of his creative spark in the first half, making forward runs and linking play. His influence waned as the game progressed, but he contributed to Liverpool’s control before being substituted at halftime.
Harvey Elliott – 8/10
An industrious performance from the midfielder. Demonstrated his range of passing and broke up play effectively. A composed display that highlighted his value to the squad amid transfer speculation.
Diogo Jota – 8/10
Opened the scoring with a poacher’s finish and was a constant menace to the Accrington defense. Drifted across the front line, creating spaces and linking play seamlessly.
Rio Ngumoha – 9/10
What a debut from the 16-year-old! The youngster dazzled with his fearless runs down the left flank and linked well with his teammates. His maturity and confidence belied his age, and the standing ovation he received upon substitution was richly deserved.
Darwin Núñez – 7/10
Worked tirelessly up front and provided the assist for Jota’s opener. While his finishing lacked precision at times, his movement and work rate caused problems for Accrington’s defense.
Substitutes
Federico Chiesa – 8/10
Brought on at halftime and added energy and dynamism on the right wing. Was unlucky not to score earlier after hitting the woodwork but capped off a strong performance with a stunning low strike into the bottom corner.
Conor Bradley – 7/10
Introduced in the 60th minute and played his part in keeping the clean sheet. A composed cameo from the young full-back.
James McConnell – 8/10
Displayed impressive confidence and vision after coming on. Played a superb long ball to Chiesa, leading to a near goal, and later slotted into central defense without missing a beat.
Jayden Danns – 9/10
Made an immediate impact after replacing Ngumoha in the 72nd minute. His pace and directness troubled the tiring Accrington defense, and he scored a poacher’s goal to seal the win. A lively and effective cameo.
Trey Nyoni – N/A
Came on late in the match and had limited involvement.
