A routine win, a fantastic goal by Alexander – Arnold, a maiden goal by Chiesa and a historic debut for Rio Ngumoha. That would be the one sentence report from the Liverpool – Accrington Stanley FA Cup game which finished with a comfortable 3-0 win for the hosts. The oldest competition in the world always had (and will have) surprises in a form of elimination of the favorites from a lower league clubs, but today it was just impossible. The guests are fighting relegation in England‘s fourth league and all they could do against Premier League leader was to give 100% in order to please their supporters. And that‘s what they did. In fact, they should have used Liverpool‘s lethargy in the second half and score at least a consolation goal, but they missed two great opportunities. Rio Ngumoha, a talented Englishman with Nigerian roots started the game and became Liverpool’s youngest ever player in the FA Cup at the age of 16 years and 135 days and played solid until he was replaced by another youngster, who eventually became the scorer. Federico Chiesa was finally given some minutes in the second half and he created three chances before scoring his maiden goal in Liverpool shirt. The Italian has only made five appearances in the campaign and has not played in the Premier League since September.A first @LFC goal for Federico Chiesa 🔴🇮🇹He kept it low from distance, and it found the back of the net 🎯#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/3KeA9h8FAx— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025 Jayden Danns made the chance and scored it for @LFC 🔴#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/HPTicB4faP— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025 Liverpool needed two big misses to get them going in the first half. Both were missed by Darwin Nunez (some will ironically say it was expected of him). The first one happened after only six minutes, but in reality, the chance was not that good. Tsimikas started the action and gave the ball to Elliott, who sent a cross to Nunez, but the Uruguayan striker was not in a good position to handle the ball. The second chance can be used as an opportunity to criticize Liverpool‘s striker as he was in prefect position to score. Alexander-Arnold‘s shot was saved by Crellin, but the rebound came to Nunez, but he fired it over. And then the guests ‘helped‘ Liverpool to score the first goal. They moved closer to Kelleher after a free kick was awarded and the Reds just made one of their quick transitions and scored in a matter of seconds. Szoboszlai passed it to Alexander-Arnold who found Nunez, and the Uruguayan just passed the ball to charging Jota, who tapped the ball from close range for the lead. Elliot had a chance in the 37th minute but Crellin saved it again. However, in the last minute of the first half, he was helpless when Szoboszlai passed the ball to Alexander-Arnold, who smashed it to the top corner for 2-0.Captain Trent ©️@TrentAA with a beauty from distance for @LFC 🚀#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/OHrTuA84Te— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025 The second half was all about Liverpool players not getting injured for the games ahead and keeping up the score as it was. Federico Chiesa finally came in and nearly scored but Crellin was there again to score. Accrington tried to push forward a bit and had a great opportunity in the 57th minute, when Woods hit the bar. A few minutes later, the guests had another perfect opportunity after the corner, but Love, who was completely alone and unmarked just managed to head the ball over the bar. The punishment came in the 76th minute, when Danns started the action and passed the ball to Chiesa, whose shot was saved by Crellin, but the rebound came to Danns who finished the chance he created perfectly for 3-0. But Chiesa was determined to score for the Reds and after hitting the bar a few minutes before the end, he finally managed to score in the 90th minute.FA CUP ROUND 3 SaturdayBirmingham – Lincoln City 2-0 (1-0)/Yokoyama 1, Dykes 77/Bristol City – Wolverhampton 1-2 (1-2)/Twine 45+2 – Nouri 10, Gomes 21/Middlesbrou. – Blackburn 0-1 (0-0)/Weimann/Liverpool – Accrington 4-0 (2-0)/Jota 29, Alexander-Arnold 45, Danns 76, Chiesa 90/17:00: (1.65) Leicester (3.60) QPR (5.10)18:00: (1.53) Bournemouth (3.90) WBA (5.80)18:00: (1.20) Brentford (7.25) Plymouth (12.0)18:00: (1.03) Chelsea (13.0) Morecambe (30.0)18:00: (2.75) Exeter (3.30) Oxford (2.40)18:00: (5.20) Norwich (3.90) Brighton (1.58)18:00: (1.40) Nott.Forest (4.60) Luton (8.00)18:00: (2.05) Preston (3.25) Charlton (3.50)18:00: (6.50) Reading (4.10) Burnley (1.53)18:00: (1.58) Sunderland (3.70) Stoke (5.60)20:45: (1.07) Leeds (13.0) Harrogate T. (25.0)20:45: (1.05) Man.City (14.0) Salford City (35.0)21:00: (1.95) Coventry (3.45) Sheffield W. (3.60)21:00: (2.95) Leyton (3.15) Derby (2.35)21:00: (2.15) Mansfield (3.30) Wigan (3.20)Sunday15:00: (1.80) Hull (3.45) Doncaster (4.20)15:30: (12.0) Tamworth (7.25) Tottenham (1.20)18:00: (1.75) Arsenal (3.60) Man.Utd. (4.90)18:00: (1.30) Crystal Palace (5.30) Stockport (8.00)18:00: (1.25) Ipswich (6.50) Bristol Rovers (10.5)18:00: (1.15) Newcastle (8.00) Bromley (16.0)19:30: (1.80) Southampton (3.45) Swansea (4.20)Monday22:30: (1.33) Millwall (5.00) Dag & Red (7.75)***odds are subject to change***
