Liverpool advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a dominant 4-0 victory over League Two side Accrington Stanley at Anfield. Goals from Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jayden Danns, and Federico Chiesa ensured a comfortable progression for Arne Slot’s side.
How the Game Unfolded
Slot made several changes to his lineup, including handing a debut to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha. Liverpool dominated possession early, creating chances through Darwin Nunez and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Alexander-Arnold set up Nunez, who squared for Jota to tap in. Alexander-Arnold then doubled the lead with a stunning strike from the edge of the box just before halftime.
Accrington had brief moments of hope in the second half, with Josh Woods coming close to scoring twice, but Liverpool’s defense held firm. Substitute Jayden Danns scored on the rebound after a saved Chiesa shot, and Chiesa himself added a fourth with a powerful finish off the post to seal the victory.
Player Ratings
Liverpool (4-3-3):
- GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – 7.4/10
Reliable when called upon, though largely untested. - RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8.4/10
Excellent both offensively and defensively. Scored a stunning goal and created chances. - CB: Jarell Quansah – 7.8/10
Solid at the back, showed maturity beyond his years. - CB: Wataru Endo – 7.3/10
Adapted well in a makeshift center-back role. - LB: Kostas Tsimikas – 8.3/10
Energetic and creative, a constant threat on the left flank. - CM: Harvey Elliott – 7.8/10
Controlled the tempo and linked play effectively. - CM: Tyler Morton – 7.3/10
Composed and tidy in possession. - CM: Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.8/10
Bright and creative in his first-half display. - RW: Diogo Jota – 8.0/10
Scored the opener and was a lively presence throughout. - ST: Darwin Nunez – 7.8/10
Worked hard, created opportunities, and was involved in the first goal. - LW: Rio Ngumoha – 6.6/10
A promising debut with flashes of skill and confidence.
Substitutes:
- Federico Chiesa (46′ for Szoboszlai) – 8.0/10
Scored his first goal for Liverpool and looked sharp. - Conor Bradley (60′ for Alexander-Arnold) – 6.3/10
Steady but not heavily involved. - James McConnell (60′ for Morton) – 6.0/10
Kept things simple in midfield. - Jayden Danns (72′ for Ngumoha) – 7.6/10
Scored a poacher’s goal and added energy. - Trey Nyoni (78′ for Endo) – 7.0/10
Confident in his cameo appearance.
Player of the Match:
Trent Alexander-Arnold – A standout performance featuring a brilliant goal and excellent all-around play.
Talking Points
Ngumoha Justifies Inclusion
Slot’s decision to start 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha paid off as the youngster impressed with his dribbling and composure. While he didn’t score, his performance suggested he could have a bright future at Anfield.
Slot Gets What He Wanted
The Liverpool manager will be pleased with the outcome: a comfortable win, game time for fringe players, and no injuries. The Reds’ confidence will be bolstered as they continue their FA Cup journey.
Chiesa Takes a Step Forward
Federico Chiesa’s 45-minute cameo was a highlight. The Italian, who has struggled with fitness issues, showed glimpses of his quality, including a well-taken goal. His challenge now is to push for more significant minutes in key matches.
What’s Next?
Liverpool will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming Premier League fixtures as they balance domestic and cup commitments. For Accrington, the focus will shift back to their League Two campaign.
Liverpool’s FA Cup journey continues with high hopes of adding another trophy to their cabinet.
