The vending machine must sell 6/10 guys who are “not a Liverpool player”

Liverpool advanced to the fourth round FA Cup with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Lowly Accrington Stanleywith Arne Slott tasting victory for the first time in 2025.

While the Reds have been powerful in their performances this season, a Premier League a draw against Manchester United preceded a miserable first-leg defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in their Carabao Cup semi-final.

It would have been a real shame if they had confounded him again at Anfield this afternoon, but Sloto’s much-changed side should have overcome the physicality of their opposition and got the job done.

For some it was a great opportunity. Rio Ngumoha, 16, showed his precocious quality, but that was it Harvey Elliott who was perhaps the biggest winner of the afternoon.

Harvey Elliott makes his case

Accrington Stanley may be struggling in League Two, but there’s something about the FA Cup, they exude a quality unknown to those lower teams when they come up against the giants.

But Elliott calmed the giant-killing beast, with James Pearce of Athletic hailing the 21-year-old’s “brilliant” performance. It was a difficult campaign for the playmaker, he broke his foot in September and thus remained on the sidelines of the Slot project.

Elliott’s role was so peripheral that he was on the center of transfer rumours linking him with Brighton & Hove Albion and even Borussia Dortmund in Germany. Frankly, if he doesn’t earn opportunities, the diminutive ace will legitimately want to move away, such is his immense talent.

Liverpool must keep him on the books, allowing him to flourish under Slott’s wing. However, the same cannot be said for Darwin Nunezwho must be sweating over his seat after another performance that left a lot to be desired.

Why Slot must sell Darwin Nunez

Nunez continues to frustrate. He missed two big chances this afternoon as he demonstrated the drive and tenacity that speaks to his ambition and determination to succeed in a Liverpool shirt.

In fact, club legend Robbie Fowler even claimed that the more he watches the former Benfica player, the more he believes the striker is “not a Liverpool player”.

The problem, however, is that Nunez fails to prove himself as the center forward that Sloto’s system needs. Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle gave him a match rating of 6/10acknowledging his effort and work to set up Diogo Jota’s first goal, but is it enough?

That now takes him to four goals and four assists in 26 appearances this season, marking a dip in performance since Jurgen Klopp left Merseyside.

While FSG have more pressing transfer priorities, there’s no doubt that the buzz surrounding Nunez’s place in the squad is getting louder and louder, especially with recent reports revealing that the Uruguayan has been told he needs to improve, to avoid being officially transfer-listed and focus is on the purchase of heirs.

Maybe it has already started. According to Football Insidersporting director Richard Hughes would consider accepting £60m bids for Liverpool’s record signing.

The 25-year-old won’t want that to happen, desperate to prove his worth. However, Jota scored and Chiesa opened his account for the club after an injury-plagued start to his Liverpool career. Is he perhaps in the process of leapfrogging his first-line colleague?

Liverpool will surely feel they can do better and must look to cash in on Nunez for the best possible price.