With the FA Cup 3rd Round underway, the competition is slowly getting thinned out, and all the lower league sides are slowly being phased out. As such, Liverpool hosted League Two side Accrington Stanley in a matchup that takes place for only the second time in the clubs’ history and the first time since FA Cup third round back in 1956.
For the most part, the game started off quite as one would expect. Despite a heavily rotated squad, Liverpool comfortably dominated the game and created some great chances in the first half. Their first goal came from an Accrington corner-turned-counterattack before Trent Alexander-Arnold added to the tally just before half time, with a scintillating strike.
The second half saw the visitors come close to scoring after piling on the pressure but it soon faded and Liverpool comfortably closed out the game with two more goals. All in all, Accrington gave a solid account of themselves for large spells and will take a lot of positives from the game.
Liverpool Player Ratings vs Accrington Stanley
Goalkeeper
Caoimhin Kelleher: 6.5/10- Hardly had much to do and was solid as he has been for the majority of the season. Didn’t have a save to make or really any high ball to contest but was reliable and accurate with the ball at his feet.
Defenders
Kostas Tsimikas: 7.5/10- Was up and down the flanks and was ever present to help out his winger. Delivered a few tantalizing crosses into the box and made sure to be up to the job with his defending duties as well.
Wataru Endo: 6.5/10- Another solid performance from the midfielder playing at center half. Kept the ball moving and was tasked with progressing things from deep. Did not look out of place defensively either.
Jarell Quansah: 6.5/10- Did well to supplement his center-half partner and used his physicality well whenever needed. Kept things clean at the back and didn’t needlessly lunge into challenges either.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 8/10- Captain of the team on the evening and certainly played like it. Was far more involved than usual, dropping into midfield to help progress the play. Scored an absolute belter before half-time, which pretty much killed the game off for the visitors.
Midfielders
Tyler Morton: 7/10- Made the most out of a rare opportunity and did well to dictate the play from deeper. Seemed confident and reassured to the point that he was even taking long-range efforts at one point. A good showing from the youngster overall.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 7/10- Buzzing and energetic throughout, Szoboszlai had a good game in midfield, linking the play from back to front and popping up to help keep the attack going. Notched an assist as well.
Diogo Jota: 7.5/10- Did well to step into the team and playing a vital role in the game today, dropping deep into midfield and at times playing almost like a second striker behind Nunez. Popped up from time to time and took his goal well.
Attackers
Harvey Elliot: 7.5/10- Started the game off on the right flank and did well to create a fair few opportunities for his teammates. Was a constant threat and made sure to have a go at goal himself from time to time.
Rio Ngumoha: 6.5/10- Showed some brilliant dazzling feet and injected a lot of energy into the attack. Played on the front foot and did not shy away from taking his man on.
Darwin Nunez: 6/10- Had a couple of shocking misses on the night but managed to improve as the game went on. Was a constant threat in the box and even notched up an assist.
Substitutes
Federico Chiesa: N/A
Conor Bradley: N/A
James McConnell: N/A
Jayden Danns: N/A
Trey Nyoni: N/A
Manager
Arne Slot: 8/10- Did well to put out a sie with players in need of minutes. Rotated his side well for the most part and gave the fringe players important minutes and moments that they will certainly cherish as the season goes on.
Accrington Player Ratings vs Liverpool
Goalkeeper
William Crellin: 6.5/10- Had a tough afternoon by all means but gave a solid account of himself and kept things from getting embarrassing, despite a valiant effort from the defense.
Defenders
Benjamin Woods: 6/10- Had a difficult time especially in the second half with opposition players driving into the box and standing him up for a shot. Did well to cope at times but was clearly struggling for large parts of the game.
Zach Awe: 6/10- Despite moments of composure with the ball at his feet, found himself under immense pressure and struggled to cope with it at times. Did well aerially but could have influenced the game a lot more in situations.
Farrend Rawson: 6/10- Another one that had a difficult game, especially with the waves of Liverpool attacks. Could have been better placed at times during the second half, which could perhaps have kept the score respectable.
Donald Love: 5.5/10- Struggled massively during the game in terms of keeping up with the opposition attackers or simply with his tackling or in terms of keeping the ball.
Midfielders
Josh Woods: 7.5/10- Possibly the best of the Accrington players on the evening, had a few good efforts at goal and was very close to pulling off the spectacular, which would have been a dream for the Liverpool fan.
Nelson Khumbeni: 6/10- Didn’t have the best time in midfield and was mostly reserved to hoofing the ball away for the attackers to chase. Had to make way for defensive substitutes at halftime.
Dan Martin: 6.5/10- Had a few good moments where he contested for the ball and managed to snatch it away on the odd occasion. Was well on point with some of his long-range passes as well.
Ashley Hunter: 6/10- had very little impact in the #10 role and could not turn the ball over or find his teammates with an innovative pass or create anything worthwhile or notable. Was promptly substituted at half-time as well.
Attackers
Tyler Walton: 6.5/10- Had a good go at it and put himself about to try and score. Was key in his side seemingly putting on the pressure at the start of the second half, but was unable to to make something substantial happen.
Shaun Whalley: 6.5/10- Could not get involved up top for large parts of the game and instead dropped lower to help his team out. Got stuck in during spells of Liverpool dominance and did a lot of the grunt work overall.
Substitutes
Liam Coyle: N/A
Alex Henderson: N/A
Connor O’Brien: N/A
Seamus Conneely: N/A
Kelsey Mooney: N/A
Manager
John Doolan: 7/10- Was forced into making a lot of changes at halftime and shook up the game plan. Set his side up well and ensured that the score did not get too embarrassing for large parts. Could have benefitted from trusting some of his players a little more.
Who won Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley?
Liverpool won the game 4-0.
When was Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley?
Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley took place on January 11, 2025.
Who was the man of the match in Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley?
Trent Alexander-Arnold was the man of the match in Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley.
Who was the worst player in Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley?
Donald Love was the worst player in Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley.