Liverpool advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup by beating League Two Accrington Stanley 4-0 at Anfield.
First-half goals from Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold gave the Reds a handy lead at the break after a one-sided first half.
And, despite a few moments of encouragement from the visitors in the second period, the game ended late on with Jayden Danns’ strike and Federico Chiesa’s first goal for Liverpool.
How the match unfolded
Although changes were expected, Arne Slot sprung a big surprise in his starting 11 by giving 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha his debut.
After inevitably dominating possession from the start, it was Liverpool who created the first chance, Darwin Nunez heading in after Harvey Elliott cut the ball down. The Uruguayan then exploded over a more likely chance that presented itself after Trent Alexander-Arnold went close.
But just when it looked like Accrington Stanley were starting to get comfortable, the hosts managed to make a breakthrough. It happened after they successfully defended a free kick in their own penalty area and saw Alexander-Arnold play in Nunez, who put Jota in the square.
Alexander-Arnold then ensured the lead was doubled just before the break with a superb strike into the far top corner from the right edge of the box.
Liverpool started the second half in a similarly dominant mood, but were held to a block on the line and wide of the bar for Josh Woods, who failed to reduce the deficit with two chances in quick succession.
Donald Love then offered a further reminder that the game was not over, creating a chance he should have made much better over the bar.
Unfortunately for Accrington, their hopes were effectively extinguished when substitute Danns volleyed home the follow-up after Chiesa’s effort had been saved.
And Italian, regularly linked with a move to Napoli in this January transfer windowadded gloss to the score just before the end of regular time, hitting the post from the edge of the penalty area.
Check out the player ratings for Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley here.
Slott has proven during his short time at Liverpool that he is not a manager who hands out first-team appearances lightly – just ask Federico Chiesa.
And so the inclusion of 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha in the starting 11 felt like a significant confirmation of his talents.
A young winger, who was kidnapped from Chelsea this summer, he showed why he is so highly rated at Anfield and why his former club were so devastated to lose him with a thrilling display of dribbling.
It seems clear that this will not be the last time he graces the Anfield pitch, with more opportunities possibly awaiting him this season, such was the impressive, mature nature of his performance.
Slot couldn’t have asked for more than a draw for the third round FA Cup but a home game against a League Two opponent.
And the Dutchman will be delighted that every aspect of the day went as well as could have been hoped.
A comfortable win that keeps Liverpool in the competition, important minutes for secondary players and youngsters, and no fresh injuries to spoil the season – it doesn’t get much better than that.
A 45-minute outing against League Two opposition may not have been all that Chiesa dreamed of following his summer move to Liverpool, but it will do for now.
Fitness issues have plagued the Italian since his arrival on Merseyside, meaning his opportunities are limited even in domestic cup competitions.
However, he looked sharp and ready for a physical challenge after coming on as a half-time substitute in this one, creating chances, hitting the post and then wrapping things up with an impressive goal.
The challenge now is for Chiesa to build on this by inserting himself into the manager’s plans around the more important games.
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