Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrating Liverpool’s second goal. (Image: Getty.)
Liverpool are into the fourth round of the FA Cup after a comfortable 4-0 home win over Accrington Stanley.
The hosts at Anfield broke the deadlock after a drab 29 minutes when a rare visiting attack was picked apart and Diogo Jota finished off a clinical counter.
Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled that advantage shortly after when he rifled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box, putting the misery of the past few weeks to one side.
All in all it was a pleasant day for Arne Slot once substitutes Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa put the finishing touches on the win. The head coach was able to rest his key men and blood in some youngsters at the same time, keeping a clean sheet and ensuring that his side are in the hat for the next round.
Here, Express Sport takes a look at how those involved for Liverpool fared…
Liverpool player ratings vs Accrington Stanley
Goalkeeper
Kelleher – 6
Had just one shot to save, a late hopeful from distance, and was rarely called into action, but another clean sheet is in the bank for one of the Premier League’s best number twos.
Defence
Alexander-Arnold – 8
At a time when his commitment to Liverpool has been questioned, home to a lowly fourth-tier side, when the majority of his star team-mates were given the day off, Alexander-Arnold made a very clear statement.
Back in the fray after he was dropped following a disastrous performance against Manchester United, he set Darwin Nunez away to tee up Jota who scored and allowed Anfield to collectively breathe a sigh of relief in the first half.
Then shortly before half-time he received the ball from Dominik Szoboszlai and rattled it into the top corner, holding his arms aloft to the home supporters who sang his name back in unison.
The England man was on a mission to make amends for his United mishap and prove just how much playing for Liverpool means to Alexander-Arnold.
Darwin Nunez crossing for Diogo Jota’s opener (Image: Getty)
Quansah – 6
Had little to do but marshalled the two Accrington Stanley forwards with enough ease to keep a clean sheet.
Endo – 7
Ably stepped into the backline on a comfortable afternoon for the Japanese midfielder-turned-defender. It remains to be seen how much of a candidate he can be at centre-back going forward.
Tsimikas – 7
Combined well with Rio Ngumoha and firmly put his hand up to replace the under-fire Andy Robertson going forward with a strong performance, regularly finding his forwards with long balls into the channels.
Midfield
Morton – 7
Played a deeper role to allow Szoboszlai and Elliott the freedom to roam and was comfortable throughout, dictating play well alongside Alexander-Arnold who inverted to help out.
Szoboszlai – 6
A quiet day for the Hungarian on his return from injury as he played 45 minutes before being taken off for Chiesa. Did manage to grab an assist after his short pass to Alexander-Arnold was met by a ferocious shot into the back of the net.
Elliott – 6
Largely operated on the right in Mohamed Salah’s absence, in a week where he has been linked with a move away from Liverpool, and would have hoped to take his chance with both hands.
However, the 21-year-old struggled to make such an impact out wide or central after Chiesa’s introduction. Despite being given the entire 90 minutes he was outshined by his team-mates.
Attack
Ngumoha – 8
The 16-year-old became Liverpool’s youngest-ever starter, just a year after leaving Chelsea for Anfield, and showcased his silky feet with countless smart touches on the left flank.
He was raw as expected but a very bright spark and constant threat, Liverpool have a very exciting prospect on their hands.
Nunez – 5
Spooned a handful of chances over the bar as he was asked once again to prove his worth to the club, but did lay the ball on a plate for Jota to open the scoring.
The Uruguayan has been described as rash in front of goal and it was evident that he was desperate to score, often spurning his team-mates in good positions only to fail to hit the target.
Nunez is running out of time to prove himself to Slot, with Jota, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz all thought to be ahead of him in the pecking order. Matches against the likes of Accrington Stanley are where he needs to dominate.
Jota – 7
In the right place at the right time to score the game’s first goal, but endured a very quiet afternoon otherwise as he and Nunez struggled to combine as a duo.
Rio Ngumoha was not afraid to take his man on. (Image: Getty)
Substitutes
Chiesa (45′) – 8
On for Szoboszlai and given the entirety of the second half to show the Anfield crowd what he can do – the Italy international duly obliged.
He got in on goal with his first touch and minutes after put in a dangerous chipped cross to no avail, hit the post before then finding the back of the net from the edge of the box. A very impressive cameo.
McConnell (60′) – 6
A like-for-like change at the base of midfield and kept the ball ticking over.
Bradley (60′) – 6
Now vying for Alexander-Arnold’s place as first-choice right-back, Bradley replaced today’s captain and was a willing participant both going forward and defensively, as Accrington Stanley’s presence grew in the second half.
Danns (72′) – 8
On for Ngumoha, Danns made an immediate impact as he led a superb counter-attack, broke away from the visiting defence and blasted the rebound into the roof of the net after Chiesa’s initial effort was saved.
Nyoni (78′) – N/A
Did not have enough time to make a significant impact, but another glimpse of what is to come at Liverpool and valuable experience for the teenager.