Trent's Liverpool message, youngsters impress, big-money star disappoints - 5 talking points
LIVERPOOL 4-0 ACCRINGTON STANLEY: Arne Slot's side prevailed 4-0 in the FA Cup third round thanks to goals from Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jayden Danns at Anfield
Liverpool avoided any danger of an FA Cup upset to progress past League Two side Accrington Stanley 4-0 at Anfield.
The difference between the teams showed on the break. An Accrington Stanley attacking set piece was cleared with a brilliant pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold and two one-touch passes saw the ball placed across the box for Diogo Jota to find the net just before the half hour mark.
On the brink of half-time Alexander-Arnold made a very true strike look very easy to double the Reds' lead. The captain for the day stretched out his arms to draw in the adoration, with his future still very much under scrutiny.
The second period saw Josh Woods go close for Stanley with a fierce strike and Donald Love send a free header over the bar. It was 18-year-old Liverpool youngster Jayden Danns who earned some FA Cup magic next by capitalising on the rebound from Federico Chiesa's effort to make the score 3-0.
READ MORE: Liverpool set asking price for young star who could make shock January transferREAD MORE: Arne Slot responds to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia transfer links with honest admissionTHE FA CUP GIANT KILLERS: Get your special edition magazine celebrating some of the game's greatest-ever upsets
Chiesa found the net himself with an impressive strike from distance after relentlessly finding chances to round off the scoring. Mirror Football takes a look at the talking points to arise from the clash.
Trent wears the armband
In a team that saw plenty of rotation it was hard to ignore that Alexander-Arnold retained his place and wore the captain's armband. The academy product, who is in the final six months of his contract, is of course Arne Slot's vice-captain but with the fact that the full-back has declared captaining Liverpool as a future dream, it feels a pertinent reminder.
Alexander-Arnold was a leader on the pitch at Anfield, often taking responsibility on the ball to instigate attacks. The Reds were against weaker opposition than when the defender produced a howler against Manchester United but nevertheless, the out-of-contract star delivered a reminder of his qualities and what Liverpool could miss.
Magic of the cup
Accrington Stanley, who are they? A few more people around the world may know now.
The League Two side did not have far to travel but it would have been an emotional journey for many of them. Manager John Doolan is an Everton fan and was a trainee with the Toffees before working for Liverpool, while Liam Coyle, who captained the Reds in their youth ranks, achieved his dream of playing in front of the Kop when he came off the bench.
Even simply seeing Nelson Khumbeni thundering into a tackle on Diogo Jota brings an element of satisfaction. Stanley produced a valiant performance and simply lacked the physicality to match Liverpool over the course of 90 minutes, but reaching this stage and receiving the financial benefits of doing so, is a stellar effort.
Rio Ngumoha vindicated
Just months after joining the club, Rio Ngumoha became Liverpool's youngest ever starter on Saturday afternoon. Still just 16, the winger arrived from Chelsea after being convinced of a better pathway with the Reds, much to the Blues' disappointment.
The youngster has already left his impression on first team boss Slot. "It is always special when a young player makes his debut, no matter which country you are in," the Liverpool coach said.
"You know what it means to the player. He is a young kid that has been with us for half a season. He has trained mostly with the Under-21s but sometimes with us. But when he has been with us, he isn't afraid to do what he is good at - taking players on. I hope he gets the chance to show his quality."
Ngumoha showed plenty of instinct to take the ball in tight areas and to beat the players around him. The teenager was a very involved presence in the opening 45 minutes and brought drive and penetration that is not always easy to find.
The academy ace faded as the game went on, understandably, but it's unlikely to be his last Liverpool outing.
Chiesa chance
Ahead of the FA Cup clash, Slot said Chiesa had the likes of Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah to compete with for a place in his side. The Italian was placed on the bench with Harvey Elliott and Ngumoha on the wings at Anfield, however.
READ MORE: Liverpool target Kvicha Kvaratskhelia green lights immediate transfer after Napoli statementREAD MORE: Former Man City star tells new team-mate to snub transfer to join Pep GuardiolaIt was Dominik Szoboszlai who eventually made way for Chiesa at the halfway mark. The ex-Juventus star showed flashes but with scant opportunities thus far, did not quite seem to have his eye in.
The summer signing showed the ability to find space but couldn't quite capitalise upon it to start. Chiesa kept plucking away, getting nearer with each chance before finding the net in the 90th minute.
He will be hopeful of finding more opportunities in the second half of the season as Slot hinted, despite starting among the substitutes.
Darwin difficulty
It was a forgetable afternoon for Darwin Nunez. The striker did little to show he should be at the forefront of Slot's plans moving forward while surrounded by team-mates in better form.
The Uruguay international wildly fired over the bar after just 12 minutes and it was already his second miss of day. Things did not really improve for the 25-year-old and the same questions will surround his performance.
"We’re saying the same things now as we were two or three years ago," said Robbie Fowler. "He’s raw, he’s this, he’s that. You can’t keep saying that. For me, the more I see him the more I think he’s not a Liverpool player.
"People might have a go at me for saying this because he works hard, you’re not signing a player because he works hard. That should be a prerequisite anyway."
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