Liverpool cruise past Accrington Stanley to secure FA Cup fourth-round spot

Liverpool cruise past Accrington Stanley to secure FA Cup fourth-round spot
Liverpool cruise past Accrington Stanley to secure FA Cup fourth-round spot

New Delhi: Liverpool returned to winning ways with a commanding 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley in the third round of the FA Cup at Anfield. Despite fielding a totally changes starting lineup, the Reds delivered a professional performance showcasing their depth and resilience. Accrington started brightly and pressed Liverpool well, but Darwin Nunez spurned an early opportunity to put the hosts ahead.

The visitors showed determination but lacked the clinical edge to trouble Liverpool, as they just managed one shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. A swift counterattack from Trent Alexander-Arnold set the tone for the evening as the Reds took control of the game. The Real Madrid-linked fullback was at his best as he showcased both creativity and a cutting edge as the hosts went into the break 2-0 up.

Chiesa and Danns seal the win

Liverpool maintained their dominance in the second half, with Federico Chiesa making an instant impact after replacing Dominik Szoboszlai. Accrington came close to pulling one back when Woods’ powerful strike rattled the crossbar, but that was as close as they got.

Jayden Danns capitalized on a spilt save from Chiesa’s initial effort to make it 3-0 before the Italian winger added the fourth with a precise low drive into the bottom corner. A late injury scare for Harvey Elliott caused brief concern, but he shook it off to finish the match.

With a goal in each half and contributions from both established stars and emerging talent, Liverpool cruised into the fourth round, leaving their midweek disappointment behind them.

Man of the match

Trent Alexander-Arnold silenced his critics with a stellar performance as Liverpool captain against Accrington Stanley. Coming off after a tough game against Manchester United, the fullback repaid Arne Slot’s faith by leading the Reds with poise and precision. His standout moment came just before halftime when he unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box, showcasing his impeccable technique and giving Liverpool a crucial second goal.

Beyond his goal, Alexander-Arnold played a pivotal role in controlling the game. He registered two shots on target, and he showcased an xG of 0.14. Arnold has scored 76% of his career goals for Liverpool from outside the box, cementing his reputation as a long-range specialist.

 Liverpool advance to the fourth-round in FA Cup after goal-galore against League two team Accrington Stanley at Anfield sees them seal the game 4-0 win.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today