They will always have the milk advert. Accrington Stanley came in search of a momentous FA Cup upset at Anfield, a story to usurp their other famous connection with Liverpool and Ian Rush, but there was no miracle to be found on a freezing afternoon on Merseyside.
Arne Slot’s much-changed but still recognisable Liverpool team had too much quality, nous and experience for League Two opponents who did themselves justice over 90 minutes but could not contain the Premier League leaders for ever. Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa scored the goals that took Liverpool into round four.
Liverpool v Accrington Stanley: FA Cup third round – live
The 2-0 half-time scoreline was a little harsh on the League Two side. Liverpool dominated possession comfortably, as they should, and in the debutant Rio Ngumoha they evidently have another academy product worthy of the hype. The left-winger, prised from Chelsea last summer, became the youngest player to start a game for Liverpool at 16 years and 135 days. Quick-footed, fast and always willing to take on his man, the young forward made an encouraging first impression. Accrington, however, were far from overawed in their elevated surroundings.
John Doolan’s team pressed man-to-man from the start and worked tirelessly to stifle Liverpool’s numerous creative options. The key issue was how long they could sustain it. Shaun Whalley, the captain, twice drew roars of encouragement from the 4,700 away fans when breaking down the left. A Liverpool defender intercepted his delivery into the box on both occasions.
The difference between Premier League and League Two levels was laid bare by the opening goal. It was the first time Accrington were out of shape and vulnerable to a counterattack, due to having a dangerous free-kick of their own deep inside the Liverpool half.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool captain for the day, celebrates his goal from a wonderful long-range strike. Photograph: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
When Ben Woods’ set piece was headed clear by Kostas Tsimikas and Nelson Khumbeni floated the ball back in to Dominik Szoboszlai, the visitors were torn apart ruthlessly. Szoboszlai and Alexander-Arnold, named Liverpool’s captain for the day, combined to release Darwin Núñez down the right. He rolled a perfect cross behind the retreating Stanley defence for Jota to tap home.
Núñez had earlier skied a clear opening after the Accrington goalkeeper Billy Crellin, on loan from Everton, blocked an Alexander-Arnold drive. Otherwise, Liverpool found opportunities hard to come by against a defence marshalled impressively by Faz Rawson.
Alexander-Arnold all but secured the Premier League leaders’ passage into round four with a delightful finish on the stroke of half-time. The defender underperformed on his last Anfield outing against Manchester United but there was no repeat here. Ngumoha was involved in the goal, cutting in from the left and having a shot blocked. Tyler Morton and Szoboszlai worked the loose ball to their captain, who swept an unstoppable shot from 20 yards into Crellin’s top right corner.
skip past newsletter promotion
Sign up to Football Daily
Kick off your evenings with the Guardian’s take on the world of football
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
after newsletter promotion
Quick Guide
Show
- Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.
- If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.
- In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
- Turn on sport notifications.
Thank you for your feedback.
Accrington, to their credit, refused to accept their fate and twice went close to reducing the arrears in the second half. Both opportunities stemmed from short-corner routines. From the first,the lifelong Liverpool fan Josh Woods cut inside Alexander-Arnold and Tsimikas before unleashing a thunderous shot from 18 yards that cannoned off the crossbar. An “if only” moment to regale the grandchildren with. For the second Whalley floated a cross into the six-yard box for the unmarked Donald Love, who headed over from close range. He should have at least hit the target.
Liverpool’s impressive 18-year-old substitute Danns doused Accrington’s hopes of an unlikely recovery late on. The academy striker broke clear of Love on the halfway line before putting Chiesa through on goal. Crellin saved from the Italy international but the rebound fell perfectly for Danns to send an emphatic finish into the roof of the net.
Chiesa worked tirelessly in pursuit of his first Liverpool goal. Crellin and a post appeared destined to deny the summer signing until he struck a fine drive into the bottom corner in the 90th minute.
