Liverpool enjoyed a safe passage into the FA Cup fourth round with victory over Accrington Stanley at Anfield.
The Premier League leaders, who suffered only their second defeat of the season in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg at Tottenham, broke the League Two side’s stubborn first-half resistance when Diogo Jota converted Darwin Nunez’s square ball just before the half-hour mark.
Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled Liverpool’s lead in spectacular fashion on the stroke of half-time, sending a fierce shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area to give the hosts breathing space at the interval.
The second half was far from a damage limitation exercise for Accrington, who struck the crossbar through boyhood Liverpool fan Josh Woods, before former Manchester United defender Donald Love sent a free header over the bar from close range.
But Jayden Danns, who had replaced 16-year-old debutant Rio Ngumoha only minutes earlier, made it 3-0 on the rebound after Federico Chiesa’s shot was blocked by visiting goalkeeper Billy Crellin.
Half-time substitute Chiesa was a lively presence off the bench and the Italian completed the scoring with a low, long-range drive – his first for the Anfield club following his August arrival from Juventus – moments after hitting the post with another effort.
Arne Slot’s team will discover their fourth-round opponents when the draw is made following the conclusion of Sunday’s tie between Arsenal and Manchester United.
