Liverpool eased previous League Two (fourth-tier) Accrington Stanley as Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first-half objectives and strikes from Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa after the break secured a 4-0 win in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round conflict.
Whereas it was a brief journey south to Liverpool for Accrington, the gulf in high quality between the groups was obvious because the spirited guests, regardless of their finest efforts, did not maintain the Premier League and Champions League leaders at bay.
“They supplied loads and first workforce soccer is hard and so they’re massive lads, however it was a great problem,” Danns, 18, instructed ITV. All three of {the teenager}’s Liverpool objectives have come within the FA Cup, together with two final season towards Southampton.
The hosts took the lead when Alexander-Arnold despatched Darwin Nunez up the suitable simply earlier than the half-hour mark as Liverpool countered after an Accrington free-kick. The Uruguayan crossed to Jota within the field who scored with a tap-in.
Liverpool doubled their benefit simply earlier than the break as Alexander-Arnold discovered the highest nook with a superbly positioned shot from exterior the field into the far high nook.
The 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who made historical past because the youngest Liverpool participant to begin a aggressive match or make an FA Cup look for the membership, was changed within the 72nd minute by Danns, who netted 4 minutes later when Billy Crellin’s save from Chiesa fell to the Liverpool-born ahead.
Ahead Chiesa then acquired his title on the scoresheet within the ninetieth by firing into the underside nook, after an earlier shot hit the woodwork, marking the Italian’s first purpose for Liverpool.
Nunez’s early misses from contained in the field had extended Liverpool’s watch for a breakthrough as he failed to attach with Harvey Elliott’s headed cross and shot large when Everton loanee Crellin’s cease to disclaim Alexander-Arnold fell to him.
Accrington, who had no photographs on track within the first half, nearly acquired a purpose again within the 57th minute however Josh Woods’ shot rattled the crossbar at Anfield, the stadium the place his father used to work as a matchday steward.
“It was surreal. I used to be attempting to take pleasure in it and keep relaxed. First half, I used to be a bit nervous, however within the second half I used to be extra relaxed,” Woods mentioned.
Shaun Whalley discovered Donald Love unmarked within the Liverpool field eight minutes later however the Scottish defender headed over the bar as Accrington, who had simply over 21% possession within the match, failed to use any tangible strain on the hosts.
“Credit score to them (Accrington), I feel they confirmed their fashion of play, which is an enormous praise,” Liverpool boss Arne Slot mentioned. “Ultimately, in fact, the distinction in high quality makes an enormous distinction.”
Liverpool subsequent go to third-placed Nottingham Forest within the Premier League on Tuesday.
