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Liverpool secured passage to the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon as they beat Accrington Stanley 4-0 at Anfield.
The League Two side knew they needed a miracle to secure a historic upset and produced a terrific save in the opening stages. Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold’s testing drive was followed by Darwin Nunez creating a rare opportunity to put a try over the bar – but Accrington held firm early in the proceedings.
However, their resolve was shattered just before the half-hour mark as Liverpool were presented with their first counter-attacking opportunity of the afternoon. The Reds broke quickly following an Accrington free kick and Diogo Jota converted from close range after Darwin Nunez’s precise low cross.
It was only a matter of time before the hosts doubled their advantage and secured their two-goal cushion on the stroke of half-time. Alexander-Arnold had already forced William Crellin into action but the Accrington goalkeeper was helpless on this occasion as the Liverpool right-back curled an effort into the top corner from 20 yards. It was a strong reminder to pursue his quality Tough week.
Accrington decided to take a riskier approach after the restart, as they wanted to reduce the deficit. Josh Woods almost reaped quick rewards for his more aggressive approach, crashing over the crossbar in the 56th minute following an impressive corner routine.
Liverpool’s growing complacency almost proved costly as they were caught napping from another corner, but the former Manchester United Defender Donald Love, who scored his own goal with Shrewsbury at Anfield in the 2020 FA Cup, inexplicably headed over the crossbar from six yards out with the goal gaping.
As Accrington threatened to set up a nervy finish for the hosts, Liverpool finished third. 18-year-old Jaden Danes, who already has two FA Cup goals to his name, only took to the pitch in the 72nd minute but got his name on the scoresheet four minutes later, converting the rebound after Federico Chiesa’s weak effort was deflected. Crelin.
Liverpool half-way pushed for fourth place in the closing stages and substitute Chiesa’s persistence paid off as he scored his first goal for the club. After striking the post two minutes earlier, the industrious Italian produced an accurate low drive from outside the penalty area to add some gloss to the scoreline.
Unfortunately for Accrington, their spirited performance did not result in a consolation strike, with Liverpool determined to keep a clean sheet during their first victory of the calendar year as they reached the fourth round of the FA Cup.
|
Player |
rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: Kevin Kelleher |
7.4/10 |
|
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold |
8.4/10 |
|
CB: Jerrell Quansah |
7.8/10 |
|
CB: Wataru Endo |
7.3/10 |
|
LB: Kostas Simikas |
8.3/10 |
|
Chief Minister: Harvey Elliott |
7.8/10 |
|
Chief Minister: Taylor Morton |
7.3/10 |
|
Chief Minister: Dominic Szobozlai |
7.8/10 |
|
RW: Diogo Jota |
8.0/10 |
|
ST: Darwin Nunez |
7.8/10 |
|
LW: Nagumoha River |
6.6/10 |
|
Sub: Federico Chiesa (46′ for Szoboszlai) |
8.0/10 |
|
Sub: Conor Bradley (60′ for Alexander-Arnold) |
6.3/10 |
|
Sub: James McConnell (60′ for Morton) |
6.0/10 |
|
Sub: Jayden Danes (72′ for Ngumoha) |
7.6/10 |
|
Sub: Trey Nyoni (78′ for Endo) |
7.0/10 |
Subs not used: Vitezslav Jarosz (GK), Andy Robertson, Alexis McAllister, Luis Diaz.
