Liverpool put in a dominant performance to ease past Accrington Stanley 4-0 in their FA Cup third-round tie at Anfield, advancing to the fourth round with relative ease.
The Premier League leaders, despite facing a side from League Two, maintained control throughout the game, sending a clear message to their rivals in the competition.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, captained Liverpool and played a pivotal role in the victory.
The England international was keen to redeem himself after what he described as one of his worst performances of his career in last week’s loss to Manchester United. In this match, Alexander-Arnold looked revitalized, putting in a commanding display both in attack and defense.
He played a crucial role in the opening goal, helping orchestrate a counter-attack that saw Diogo Jota calmly slot home from close range. Later in the first half, Alexander-Arnold doubled Liverpool’s advantage with a brilliant, angled shot that flew past Accrington goalkeeper William Crellin, sending the Reds into the break with a comfortable lead.
The second half saw further dominance from Liverpool, with Jayden Danns adding to the tally. Danns, who has impressed in previous cup appearances, scored his third FA Cup goal in just his second competition outing.
The 18-year-old made an impact after being introduced as a substitute, winning the ball and driving forward before finishing smartly.
Federico Chiesa, making his first start in a while after struggling with fitness issues since joining from Juventus in the summer, was another standout performer. He marked his encouraging 45-minute cameo with his first goal for Liverpool.
Chiesa had previously been unlucky in front of goal, seeing several shots deflected or hit the woodwork, but he was finally rewarded for his persistence when he found the back of the net in the dying moments of the match.
One of the biggest talking points of the match was the debut of 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who made history by becoming the youngest player to start for Liverpool in a competitive match at just 16 years and 135 days. The teenager, who has been highly regarded for his potential, impressed on his first senior start.
Although his moments were brief, Ngumoha showed flashes of his immense talent. He had a shot blocked early in the match and was involved in several build-up plays that created danger for the Accrington defense.
Ngumoha’s presence on the field was symbolic of Liverpool’s emphasis on youth development, and he was given a standing ovation as he made way for Danns in the second half. His debut was an exciting glimpse into the future for Liverpool fans.
Despite the heavy defeat, Accrington Stanley did threaten briefly, showing that they were not willing to go down without a fight. Josh Woods had an audacious attempt in the 62nd minute that clattered the crossbar, while Shaun Whalley missed a golden opportunity from six yards out, heading wide when it seemed easier to score.
However, Liverpool’s defense held firm, with center-backs Ibrahima Konaté and Joel Matip clearing any remaining danger.
The final goal came in the 85th minute when Chiesa capped off his encouraging performance by scoring his second goal of the game. After a parried shot by Crellin, the ball fell to Chiesa, who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner of the net, putting the final nail in the coffin for Accrington.
While the level of competition must be considered, Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley was an impressive and commanding display.
The Reds never looked in danger of an upset, and their clinical finishing and creative play ensured they comfortably advanced to the fourth round.
With standout performances from Alexander-Arnold, who also showed leadership in midfield, and Ngumoha’s historic debut, Liverpool fans will be optimistic about the potential of their young players alongside the established stars. The victory also provided a confidence boost ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixtures.
