Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley LIVE: FA Cup rating as Alexander-Arnold nets screamer after Jota purpose
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Premier League leaders Liverpool host Accrington Stanley at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.
Arne Slot’s side are looking to bounce back from their 1-0 to Spurs in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final in midweek, and the Dutchman will have a chance to rest some key players ahead of the league season resuming on 14 January.
The Reds face an Accrington Stanley side who are in danger of dropping out of the Football League this season, with the club currently sitting 19th in the league and just five points above the relegation spots.
And while the minnows will hardly harbour any hopes of making it to the fourth round, their fans will certainly make the journey to Anfield dreaming of a famous day out on Merseyside.
Follow all the latest build-up and team news from Anfield below:
Liverpool 2-0 Accrington Stanley
50 mins: Darwin Nunez gets his ankle trodden on and needs a bit of treatment. Accrington Stanley boss John Doolan made a couple of changes at half-time with Ashley Hunter and Nelson Khumbeni replaced with Liam Coyle and Alex Henderson.
Is there a way back into this game for the visitors?
Liverpool 2-0 Accrington Stanley
48 mins: Chiesa is on for Dominik Szoboszlai and immediately gets in on the action. Darwin Nunez collects a fine pass into the box and weaves his way into space. Nunez shoots but Billy Crellin stands tall and makes the save.
The rebound comes to Chiesa who checks to the right and fizzes a shot into the side netting.
Second half! Liverpool 2-0 Accrington Stanley
Arne Slot has made a change at the break with Federico Chiesa coming on for the Reds. Liverpool get the ball rolling again for the second half.
HT Liverpool 2-0 Accrington Stanley
As expected Liverpool have dominated possession. They’ve had 85% over that first half with 12 shots and four on target. In comparison Accrington Stanley have only managed one effort.
It’s been tough work for the League Two side who will just want to limit the damage for the rest of the game.
HT Liverpool 2-0 Accrington Stanley
Robbie Fowler calls Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal ‘effortless’ on ITV punditry duty. He’s not wrong, take a look at this one:
HT Liverpool 2-0 Accrington Stanley
Half-time! Liverpool 2-0 Accrington Stanley
Liverpool in complete control as the whistle goes to end the first half. Accrington have played well but Liverpool’s quality was on display for both goals.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Accrington Stanley (Trent Alexander-Arnold, 45’)
That is unreal!
Ryo Ngumoha dances into the box from the left but can’t go anywhere. He gives it to Tyler Morton who squares the ball to Domini Szoboszlai.
The midfielder the rolls the ball across to Trent Alexander-Arnold to takes a touch to laces a shot across goal. It’s aerial, loops over the goalkeeper and lands in the far top corner.
What a strike.
Liverpool 1-0 Accrington Stanley
41 mins: Wow!
Tyler Morton taks advantage of Accrington Stanley getting pinned on the ball in midfield. Kostas Tsimikas turns over possession and pokes it to Morton.
He spins and goes for goal from a long way out. The effort is sweet though and the ball only just rises above the target. That would have been some goal if it had enough dip.
