Liverpool 4-0 Accrington: Player ratings as Reds secure FA Cup fourth round spot | OneFootball

Liverpool secured safe passage to the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon as they beat Accrington Stanley 4-0 at Anfield.

The League Two side knew they needed a miracle to secure a historic upset and defended stoically in the opening stages. Liverpool created the odd opportunity - Darwin Nunez scooping an effort over the bar following Trent Alexander-Arnold's testing drive - but Accrington held firm early in proceedings.

However, their resolve was broken just before the half-hour mark as Liverpool were handed the opportunity to stage their first counter-attack of the afternoon. The Reds broke quickly following an Accrington free kick and Diogo Jota converted from close range after an accurate low cross from Darwin Nunez.

It appeared only a matter of time before the hosts would double their advantage and they secured their two-goal cushion on the cusp of half-time. Alexander-Arnold had already forced William Crellin into action but the Accrington goalkeeper was helpless on this occasion as Liverpool's right-back thundered an effort into the top corner from 20 yards. It was a potent reminder of his quality following a difficult week.

Accrington decided to take a riskier approach after the restart, committing bodies higher up the pitch as they sought to reduce the deficit. Their more offensive outlook almost reaped swift rewards, with Josh Woods crashing the crossbar in the 56th minute following an impressive corner routine.

Liverpool's growing complacency almost proved costly as they were caught napping from another corner, but former Manchester United defender Donald Love, who scored an own goal at Anfield in the FA Cup with Shrewsbury in 2020, inexplicably headed over the crossbar from six yards out with the goal gaping.

Just as Accrington threatened to set up a nervy finish for the hosts, Liverpool grabbed a clinching third. 18-year-old Jayden Danns, who already has two FA Cup goals to his name, only arrived on the pitch in the 72nd minute but wrote his name on the scoresheet four minutes later, converting the rebound after Federico Chiesa's dinked effort was rebuffed by Crellin.

Liverpool half-heartedly pushed for a fourth in the closing stages and substitute Chiesa's persistence was rewarded as he scored his first goal for the club. Having struck the post two minutes earlier, the energetic Italian produced an accurate low drive from outside the penalty area to add some gloss to the scoreline.

Unfortunately for Accrington, their spirited performance didn't culminate in a consolation strike, with Liverpool holding firm to keep a clean sheet during their first victory of the calendar year as they reached the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Liverpool player ratings (4-3-3)

Federico Chiesa scored his first Liverpool goal / Jan Kruger/GettyImages

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

Subs not used: Vitezslav Jaros (GK), Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz.