Liverpool beat fourth-tier Accrington Stanley 4-0 at Anfield on Saturday in a fun FA Cup third round tie.
Arne Slot made plenty of changes, with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, Ryan Gravenberch, Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister and Andy Robertson all rested. 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha became the youngest player in Liverpool’s history and the teenage winger was very good.
Diogo Jota scored on the counter just before the half hour mark, then Liverpool captain Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a beauty to make it 2-0 right on half time.
But early in the second half boyhood Liverpool fan Josh Woods hit the crossbar for Stanley, then another Liverpool fan Shaun Whalley clipped in a great cross for Donald Love who somehow headed over from close range as they should have made it 2-1.
However, Liverpool scored twice late on through substitutes Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa to make it 4-0 and finish things off in style, but Accrington Stanley did themselves proud.
Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley score: 4-0
Jota 29′, Alexander-Arnold 45′ Dance 76′, Chiesa 90′
Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Chiesa does get his goal! — Liverpool 4-0 Accrington Stanley
He has the goal he deserved. Federico Chiesa’s low shot across goal goes into the far corner. Chiesa is delighted and everyone from a Liverpool perspective is all smiles. That is Chiesa’s first goal as a Liverpool player.
Chiesa’s shot hits the post
He’s looked really sharp after coming on and Chiesa drags a low shot which hits the post. Liverpool’s fans are desperate for the Italian winger to score.
Youngster Danns smashes home — Liverpool 3-0 Accrington Stanley
The substitute scored twice in the FA Cup last season and the teenager has done it again! Just off the bench, Jayden Danns wins the ball back and plays it wide to Chiesa. His shot is saved well but the ball drops straight to Danns and he smashes home to make it 3-0.
Somehow Love heads over!
What a brilliant short corner from Accrington and they clip it in for Love to finish but he heads wide from close range. Time seemed to stand still for him. He was unmarked and can’t believe he missed that. Accrington have had a few decent chances today.
Bradley and McConnell come on
After Federico Chiesa came on at half time for Szoboszlai, Conor Bradley and James McConnell are on for Alexander-Arnold and Morton. Arne Slot’s side have 30 minutes left to ease over the line and into the fourth round.
Woods smashes the crossbar!
Oh what a moment that almost was for boyhood Liverpool fan Josh Woods. A short corner is worked really well, he cuts inside on his right and smashes a shot at goal which rattles the crossbar and goes over. Accrington Stanley having a real go here!
Accrington have started the second half well
The visitors have played well in the second half so far and a corner is swung to the back post and Liverpool fan Woods has his header blocked by Jota for another corner. Really good stuff overall from the fourth-tier team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scores a stunner off the post! — Liverpool 2-0 Accrington Stanley
Right on half time the ball is played to Alexander-Arnold and he whips a delicious curling shot off the far post and in. Huge gasps around Anfield as that one hit the back of the net. Alexander-Arnold, who is wearing the captain’s armband, has a huge smile on his face.
Diogo Jota finishes off a swift counter — Liverpool 1-0 Accrington Stanley
Stanley had a free kick in a dangerous position which was cleared but they gave the ball away and Liverpool pounced. Alexander-Arnold with a fine ball to Nunez and he crosses for Jota to tap home. 1-0. Just under 30 minutes on the clock.
Accrington having a really good spell
Whalley crossed and Liverpool cleared for a corner, then from the corner Kelleher was fouled as a decent corner to the back post caused problems. Stanley are picking their moments to press and with close to 25 minutes gone, it’s still level. This is going quite well for the minnows.
Great save from Crellin to deny Alexander-Arnold, then Nunez blasts over!
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low drive is blocked by Everton loanee Crellin in goal for Stanley. The ball then drops to Nunez but he smashes over.
Good chance for Nunez but he heads over from close range!
A decent start from Stanley who are hanging in there and playing the ball direct whenever they can. But the first big chance arrives for Liverpool as a cross is whipped in and finds Nunez but he heads over from close range with the ball just behind him. That was a tough chance.
Rio Ngumoha becomes youngest starter in Liverpool’s history
At the age of 16 years four months and 14 days old, Rio Ngumoha becomes the youngest-ever starter in Liverpool’s history. The winger has been handed a huge opportunity by Arne Slot in an otherwise very strong lineup at Anfield.
Liverpool lineup
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Endo, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Morton; Elliott, Jota, Ngumoha; Nunez
Accrington Stanley lineup
Crellin; Love, Rawson, Awe, Woods; Khumbeni, Martin; Woods, Hunter, Whalley; Walton
Liverpool team news, focus
Slot will rotate heavily as the likes of Tyler Morton, Trey Nyoni, Conor Bradley, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Caoimhin Kelleher and Kostas Tsimikas will all start. Liverpool lost 1-0 at Tottenham in their League Cup semifinal first leg on Wednesday and after drawing at home against Manchester United last weekend, Slot will be eager to put out a statement that his side are ruthless and clinical.
OUT: Joe Gomez (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Dominik Szoboszlai (illness)
Accrington Stanley team news, focus
This is obviously a huge game for every single Accrington Stanley player and they have a few young players on loan from Premier League clubs in defender Zach Awe (Southampton) and goalkeeper Billy Crellin (Everton) to keep an eye on. Top goalscorer Shaun Whalley, 37, is a boyhood Liverpool fan and the veteran has scored three goals in his last two games as Accrington have won them both as they head to Anfield in a great run of form.
Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley prediction
This could be tight for a while but expect Liverpool’s star reserves to put on a show to prove to Slot they deserve a more prominent role in his first team. Liverpool 5-1 Accrington Stanley.
Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley preview
Accrington Stanley are a League Two team based in a small town close to Blackburn and Burnley in Lancashire, just 40 miles from Liverpool. And these two teams are inextricably linked due to a milk commercial broadcast on TV in the UK in the 1980s. In the commercial two young players wearing Liverpool shirts are shown and one says that Liverpool legend Ian Rush said “if I don’t drink lot of milk then I’ll only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley!” The other replied “who are Accrington Stanley?” And the response was “exactly!”
On the pitch Liverpool are huge favorites to breeze into the fourth round, even though Arne Slot is expected to make a huge number of changes to his team. John Doolan’s Accrington Stanley are not doing well in League Two, as they sit just a few points above the relegation zone and are battling to stay in the Football League. But they have won two on the spin heading into this massive game.
How to watch Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:15am ET Saturday (January 11)
Venue: Anfield — Liverpool
TV Channel/Streaming: ESPN+
