Liverpool got their FA Cup journey underway this season with a home match against an overmatched League Two Accrington Stanley. With a mixture of youth players, reserves, and first teamers, the Reds were understandably a bit disjointed at times, but there were some moments of absolute brilliance mixed in. Over all, the match was controlled from start to finish by Liverpool on an enjoyable afternoon (local time). Players that needed minutes got minutes, and most importantly, no one got hurt.
Below, we take a look at some winners and losers on the night, and attempt to disentangle narrative from fact.
Winners
Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool now have a new youngest player to ever haver started a senior match, as well as to have appeared in an FA Cup match in Rio Ngumoha. The winger showed no lack of confidence despite his young age, completing a match high 3 dribbles in 72 minutes of work. There is still plenty to work on for the youngster, but it is easy to see why he is considered one of the top prospects in the game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Scouser was only involved for the first 45 minutes, but he got the captain’s armband. Trent scored an absolute beauty just before the half to give Liverpool a 2-0 lead, and provided the great ball through for Darwin Núñez that lead to the opening goal. Trent also had a great recovery run and tackle to stop what looked like a clean break from the visitors.
Wataru Endo
The veteran was deployed as a central defender on the day, and showed off his ability to read the game in front of him. Despite not being fleet of foot, he was able to get a head start on more than a few balls over the top to make sure he was the first one there to snuff out the attack. Endo also took the arm band for a period in the second half after Trent was subbed off.
Jayden Danns
The striker displayed so many of the traits you would like to see in a complete striker, all in one short sequence. Danns read a pass perfectly and timed his press to immediately win the ball and jump start an attack near midfield. He had his head up and quickly played the ball to and advanced player in space (Chiesa), and made sure to continue his run to pull his defender with him. Danns finished off the run in the box and showed his poachers instinct to pounced on a rebound and deftly drive it into the net for the third goal.
Danns now has 3 goals in 90 minutes of FA Cup play despite just being only almost 19 years old. Not a bad way to make waves at the senior level.
Sticking With It
It is been a tough start to life at Liverpool for Frederico Chiesa. Despite his excitement for joining the club, Chiesa has struggled with fitness and has only made a handful of matchday squads for the Reds. He earned action in just his fifth match, coming on as a halftime sub against Accrington Stanley. Despite only playing a half, Chiesa managed to lead the team in both shots (6) and shots on target (3). He was denied twice by the keeper and once by the post, but he finally found the back of the net for the first time as a Red in the 90th minute from a low, angled strike to the far post.
Traveling Support
Let’s be honest, there was little hope for Accrington Stanley to come away with anything from this match. Despite that, the 5,000 traveling supporters were in good voice and good humor all match long, enjoying their time at Anfield. In the ground, the supporters could be heard chanting “Champions of League 2, you’ll never sing that”. Fair play, that.
Losers
Set Pieces
A few seasons ago, Liverpool was one of the best set piece teams in the league. This season, the Reds have struggled mightily on both the attacking and defending end. Liverpool were almost undone on a fairly simple corner kick when Josh Woods came through completely unmarked for a header. It was almost a Magic of the Cup ™ moment for the visitors, but the ball crashed off the crossbar with Caoimhín Kelleher left rooted on his goal line.
From the Manager
“He’s been with us now for half a season, every time he trains with us we see what his qualities are. I’m always happy if a player makes his debut that he shows what we see on the training ground. The fans liked what they saw. A special day for him.”
-Arne Slot on Rio Ngumoha
What Happens Next
Liverpool return to Premier League play for the first time in 2025 on Tuesday. The Reds will travel to the midlands to face the notoriously tricky trees of Nottingham Forest. Forest have been the surprise squad of the season, sitting third in the table. They have also been the only team to defeat Liverpool in the league this season, a fact that Arne Slot has made sure his squad and everyone else knows.
