Skip to content
Full Time After Extra Time This is a live match. Extra Time Half Time

Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley. The FA Cup Third Round.

AnfieldAttendance60,261.

Liverpool 4

  • D Jota (29th minute)
  • T Alexander-Arnold (45th minute)
  • J Danns (76th minute)
  • F Chiesa (90th minute)

Accrington Stanley 0

    Liverpool 4-0 Accrington Stanley: Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa score to send Reds into FA Cup fourth round

    Report as Liverpool cruised into the FA Cup fourth round via a routine win over Accrington Stanley; Diogo Jota's counter-attack strike and Trent Alexander-Arnold's wonder goal put Liverpool 2-0 up at half-time; Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa netted late goals on Arne Slot's FA Cup debut

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Liverpool head coach Arne Slot praises Trent Alexander-Arnold for his performance, attitude and getting on the score sheet against Accrington Stanley in the third round of the FA Cup.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold showcased his value for Liverpool by scoring a stunning goal as the Reds cruised into the FA Cup fourth round via a routine 4-0 win over League Two side Accrington Stanley.

    The Liverpool defender, reinstated to the side after being benched for the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg loss to Tottenham in midweek, curled a glorious effort into the top corner to put Liverpool 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time.

    "He did not have his best game against Manchester United and everybody fell over him - at least it seems like that" said Liverpool boss Arne Slot after the game.

    "But for the rest of the season, he's been so good for us. So I liked his performance a lot and the performance when he came in against Tottenham. And I liked the reaction of the fans at Tottenham and today as well."

    Earlier in the first half, Diogo Jota had given Liverpool a deserved lead on the counter-attack just as Accrington were starting to find their feet in the game, albeit without testing Caoimhin Kelleher between the sticks.

    It was much-needed for Liverpool after Arne Slot's side had gone two games without a win over the previous six days. It was even more encouraging given Mohamed Salah was given the day off by Slot - and a youthful team was no better summarised by 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha becoming Liverpool's second-youngest-ever player after being handed a start.

    Rio Ngumoha in action for Liverpool against Accrington Stanley
    Image: Rio Ngumoha started to become the second-youngest player in Liverpool's history (16 years, 135 days)

    Accrington could have easily found themselves back in the contest as Josh Woods' long-range effort cannoned off the bar, before Stanley defender Donald Love missed the game's best chance by nodding over from a few yards out.

    Also See:

    But Liverpool showed more of a clinical edge as they got a third with just under 15 minutes to go. Substitute striker Jayden Danns won the ball and played half-time substitute Federico Chiesa through on goal.

    Chiesa was denied by Accrington goalkeeper Billy Crellin, on loan from Everton, for the third time in the second half - but the rebound fell back to Danns who crashed home with the Liverpool players queuing up.

    Jayden Danns celebrates after scoring Liverpool's third goal against Accrington Stanley
    Image: Jayden Danns celebrates after scoring Liverpool's third goal

    Chiesa thought it was going to be a frustrating afternoon as the post denied him a goal - but it eventually came as he picked up Trey Nyoni's pass before crashing an effort in on the stroke of stoppage-time. It was easy street for Liverpool, who cruised into Sunday afternoon's fourth-round draw.

    Player ratings:

    Liverpool: Kelleher (6); Alexander-Arnold (8), Quansah (7), Endo (7), Tsimikas (8); Morton (7), Szoboszlai (7); Elliott (7), Jota (8), Ngumoha (7); Nunez (5)

    Subs: Chiesa (7), McConnell (6), Bradley (6), Danns (7), Nyoni (n/a)

    Accrington: Crellin (7); Love (5), Rawson (6), Awe (6), B.Woods (6); Khumbeni (5), Martin (6), Hunter (5); J.Woods (6), Walton (5), Whalley (7)

    Subs: Henderson (7), Coyle (6), Conneely (6), O’Brien (6), Mooney (n/a)

    Player of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold

    Slot: You can see why we think Nguhoma is a talent

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaking to ITV Sport:

    "Credit to Accrington, they showed their style of play today which is a big accomplishment.

    "They were not afraid, played the same style as they always play with a high press, they were not afraid to go one-vs-one as well. A big compliment to them and in the end, the difference in quality makes a big difference for us.

    "Ngumoha did well. There were a few moments where the fans could see why we think he's a talent. He's really good in one-vs-one situations and can change direction really fast.

    "We saw it a bit more in the first half than the second half. It was nice for him to make his debut and get the win, he had a few very good actions where the fans reacted as well. A nice and special day for him."

    Analysis: Slot sends Trent a message through teen Ngumoha

    Sky Sports' Sam Blitz:

    Alexander-Arnold stood in front of the Liverpool fans with his arms aloft, taking in the acclaim. It brought to question, why would the Liverpool defender ever want to leave?

    Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold kisses the crowd after his goal
    Image: Alexander-Arnold blows kisses to the crowd after his goal

    His strike into the top corner showed what big a talent he is. He ran the game, albeit against weakened opposition, but him being a class above the rest showed how rare a talent he is.

    Arne Slot knows it, and he sent Alexander-Arnold - into the final six months of his Liverpool deal - a message before kick-off.

    The Dutch manager started Ngumoha - Liverpool's second-youngest-ever player - who just weeks ago spoke about his own personal ambition to win the Ballon d'Or - an aim Alexander-Arnold revealed was on his bucket list.

    "He is at a club where players can win the Ballon d'Or. Let's wait but it's far too early to talk about that!" said Slot before the game.

    Ngumoha benefited from the freedom handed to him - he made more one-on-ones than anyone else and freed up space for Kostas Tsimikas to create four chances - the most from the opening 45 minutes.

    GRAPHIC

    Inverting inside and adored by the home crowd, Alexander-Arnold must remember the freedom and love he has at Liverpool, before he makes a career-defining decision.

    What's coming up?

    Win £250,000 with Super 6!
    Win £250,000 with Super 6!

    Correctly predict six scorelines for a chance to win £250,000 for free. Entries by 3pm Saturday.