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By HARRY BAMFORTH and TUM BALOGUN and JOE BERNSTEIN AT ANFIELD and AADAM PATEL AT ANFIELD Published: 21: 43 AEDT, 11 January 2025 | Updated: 02: 01 AEDT, 12 January 2025 277 View comments Relive Mail Sport live blog for the latest live score, team news and updates as Liverpool host League Two side Accrington Stanley at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup.   Plus updates from the other 12pm fixtures including Bristol City vs Wolves. By Harry Bamforth Right, you know what time it is. .. No, it's not 'Chico Time', I just have to leave now, which is always a great shame. But don't worry, I will be back later. Before I go, we may as well talk about the game one last time. In the end, Liverpool comfortably dispatched of League Two Accrington Stanley, but the scoreline felt a bit harsh. Goals from Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold set the hosts on their way in the first half, and it looked like they would coast to the finish line. But no, the visitors gave it a right god crack with Josh Woods even hitting the crossbar in the second half. Accrington fought until the very end but late goals from Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa made Liverpool's win look healthier than it was. Anyway, I am now going to head off for a little break before Manchester City's clash with Salford later. I am sure I will see you all there, right? By Harry Bamforth Arne Slot, Liverpool boss, speaking to ITV: On Rio Ngumoha: On Trent Alexander-Arnold: On Federico Chiesa's first goal: By Harry Bamforth Trent Alexander-Arnold loves scoring a screamer, doesn't he? The Liverpool full-back has netted 21 times in Liverpool colours since his breakthrough in 2016. Guess how many of those have come from outside the box? I mean, It's easier to answer how many haven't to be honest. Only five of his goals have not come from outside the box. That is mental, it really is. Just like his hero Steven Gerrard, Alexander-Arnold just keeps on scoring from distance. His strike today was simply special. By Harry Bamforth Shaun Whalley, Accrington Stanley midfielder, on ITV: By Harry Bamforth Darwin, Darwin, Darwin. .. Liverpool's creator of chaos really is having a terrible season in front of goal, isn't he? Nunez only has four goals to his name this season and today felt like a perfect chance to get back on the goal trail. But no, yet again the Uruguayan missed big chances and his confidence will have taken another big hit. I wonder how he felt when Jayden Danns came onto the pitch and scored within ten minutes. That would have hurt, surely. The longer his season continues in this vain, the stronger I feel that his time in red could come to an end soon. Do you agree? By Harry Bamforth Jayden Danns, Liverpool goalscorer, speaking to ITV: By Harry Bamforth Josh Woods, Accrington Stanley midfielder, on ITV: By Harry Bamforth We simply have to talk about Rio Ngumoha, don't we? At just 16 years of age, the winger showed maturity beyond his years in just his first senior start for Liverpool. I said it before and I will say it again, Ngumoha played with so much confidence that it looked like he had been playing for years. That said, he does look very young, so that's when you realise his age. I mean, it's not like Luke Littler. .. he actually looks his age. Based on how he played today, Liverpool have a very exciting prospect on their hands. That is certainly not the last we have seen of him. By Harry Bamforth Robbie Fowler, former Liverpool striker, on ITV: By Harry Bamforth You can't not feel pleased for Federico Chiesa here. his time at Liverpool has been really tough, with injuries and a lack of minutes contributing to that. There has even been talk of Chiesa leaving this transfer window, that's how much he has been struggling. It's fair to say, the Italian really needed that goal and it was a lovely strike to get your first one for Liverpool. Just look at that smile, eh? By Harry Bamforth Well, Liverpool got the job done then. It's fair to say, a much-changed side were not exactly at their best, but they didn't need to be. I think the biggest takeaway from today's match is just how strong the Reds squad is. They arguably didn't have a single starter on the pitch when the full-time whistle was blown. You wouldn't have guessed that based on who was playing. The likes of Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, and Federico Chiesa all finished the game. The fringe players got some much-needed minutes today. By Harry Bamforth Liverpool are in the hat for the fourth round. Two goals in either half from the hosts mean they sweep aside Accrington Stanley, but the scoreline does not tell the whole story. The visitors can walk away with a lot of pride because they really took the game to Liverpool. They didn't deserve to lose 4-0 in the end, but at the end of the day, it was all about the experience. By Harry Bamforth There is a bit of a stoppage in play here. Accrington goalkeeper Billy Crellin has gone to ground and looks in some discomfort. , Normally I would say it; 's time-wasting, but they are four down so I don't reckon it is this time. Oh, and just as I say that he is back up on his feet. By Harry Bamforth There will be five minutes of stoppage time at Anfield. That's enough time for Accrington to get a goal if they can, but my word, they look shattered now. By Harry Bamforth I spoke too soon! Fifth time lucky for Federico Chiesa as he finally gets his first Liverpool goal. It's a special strike too as the Italian arrows the ball in off the post from 30 yards out. He celebrates with just a smile, and it's a relieved smile. By Harry Bamforth Federico Chiesa just can't catch a break in front of goal! The Italian has now hit the post and it just doesn't feel like his first goal will come today. It's a lovely bit of play from the winger who picks the ball up in the area, cuts inside, then drives the ball back across the goalkeeper. It looks like it's heading into the bottom corner but just rolls onto the post. He looks fed up already. .. and I mean, I get it. By Harry Bamforth This game is petering to its end now. Accrington are still pushing forward as they are desperate for a goal, but it feels like their time has been and gone. If they do manage to find something, that would be a brilliant moment for them. I don't think they will though, sorry. By Harry Bamforth Our lunchtime kick-offs have now finished. I'm guessing you all want to see the results, so of course, I will oblige. As you can tell for the lack of Wolves updates in the second half, not much changed in that game. Here are all the results: By Harry Bamforth Now that is what you call playing with confidence. Jayden Danns already has one goal to his name and he tries a cheeky flick in an attempt to get a second. He's only been on the pitch 10 minutes and I'd already say he's been Liverpool's best player. Such a livewire. By Harry Bamforth Here come the final changes, hooray! Wataru Endo has put in a hell of a shift for the hosts and he is rewarded with a 15-minute rest. He is replaced by Trey Nyonie while Kelsey Mooney comes on for the visitors. By Harry Bamforth Jayden Danns, that is absolutely brilliant! The teenager scored twice in this competition last season and he has another to his name today. Danns does brilliantly to win the ball in the middle of the park before flying forward. He slides through Federico Chiesa who looks set to score, but the Italian sees his shot saved well. The rebound then comes Danns' way and he makes no mistake, hammering it home. Game, set, and match. By Harry Bamforth Oh my word, Liverpool have actually had a chance in this half. .. Federico Chiesa is clipped in behind and has to battle hard to get a shot away. The Italian displays his physicality to get the shot away, but yet again it hits the side netting. He's getting closer, that's for sure. By Harry Bamforth Rio Ngumoha, remember the name! The 16-year-old's senior debut has come to an end and he is getting the applause that he deserves from Anfield. The youngster is replaced by another teenage sensation, Jaydemn Danns, for the final 20 or so minutes here. Ngumoha will remember this day for the rest of his life. By Harry Bamforth Liverpool are just trying to calm this game down now. The Reds have been miles off it in this second half and just need to try and get over the line. With the way they are playing, if they concede it could mean trouble. By Aadam Patel At Anfield By Joe Bernstein At Anfield By Harry Bamforth Want an update from the other games? Of course, you do. Blackburn have taken the lead away at Middlesbrough through Andreas Weimann. The Lancashire side have just over five more minutes to see that one out - can they do it? Meanwhile, Birmingham have doubled their lead against Lincoln through Scottish striker Lyndon Dykes. The Blues look like they are through. By Harry Bamforth How have Accrington not scored in this second half? The visitors have been simply superb after the break and Donald Love has a free header to pull a goal back. You just expect him to score but he hammers his header over the bar from six yards out. He can't believe it, the fans can't believe it, and neither can I! By Harry Bamforth Josh Woods' afternoon has come to an end. The local lad leaves the Anfield turf with a huge smile on his face as he is replaced by Connor O'Brien. Meanwhile, Seamus Conneely is on for Dan Martin. By Aadam Patel At Anfield By Harry Bamforth Oh. .. I was very wrong. Harvey Elliott takes 30 seconds on the sidelines before coming back onto the pitch. That's a surprise. Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold is coming off and he receives a standing ovation from the Anfield faithful. He is replaced by Conor Bradley while James Mc Connell is on for Tyler Morton. By Harry Bamforth This doesn't look good for Harvey Elliott. The midfielder is caught by Alex Henderson and looks in real pain on the floor. Henderson gets a booking, but that won't ease the frustration from Elliott who has struggled with fitness this season. It doesn't look like he will be able to continue. By Harry Bamforth What. A. Hit. Just as I was finishing off the last post, Josh Woods decided to have a crack yet again. This time it's a pearler of an effort as he cuts in from the left and crashes a shot off the bar. It makes one hell of a thumping sound, he hits it that hard. What a moment that would have been for the Scouser. By Harry Bamforth Josh Woods really wants this goal at Anfield, and we all know why. A corner comes his way yet again but he snatches at a header and it's blocked. He is going to keep going all game, isn't he? By Harry Bamforth Ohhhh, what a goal that would have been. Liverpool's build-up play is mesmerising at the best of times, but my word that move was another level. The Reds play one-touch football with both Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa producing lovely little flicks. The ball eventually gets to Trent Alexander-Arnbold, but his cross is cleared in the end. It deserved a goal, it really did. What a move. By Harry Bamforth Accrington have started this half really well, they are opening Liverpool up here. I thought that their heads would have gone down after conceding the second, but my word, I was wrong. Can they get a gaol to make this interesting? By Harry Bamforth Accrington are not going to go without a fight here, that's for sure. They pounce on a Wataru Endo mistake in the middle of the park and are away on the counter again. The ball eventually falls to Benjamin Woods, who has a pop, but his effort is blocked. They are trying to make this a scrap, you love to see it. By Harry Bamforth What an impact that would have been! Federico Chiesa is straight into the action and he hits the side-netting after 30 seconds. You have a feeling this could be the perfect game for him to get his first Liverpool goal. If he does, that will give him huge confidence - no matter who the opposition are. By Harry Bamforth Right, it's time to get back into the action. Federico Chiesa is now getting his chance to shine as he replaces Dominik Szoiboszlai. Meanwhile, Alex Henderson and Liam Coyle are on for the visitors. By Harry Bamforth Robbie Fowler, former Liverpool striker, on ITV: By Harry Bamforth How good has Rio Ngumoha been, eh? The 16-year-old looks like he has played 50 games for Liverpool, not just one. The exciting young winger has not been afraid to take on players and the crowd are loving it. Earlier in the season, Mail Sport's Lewis Steele wrote an in-depth piece on the Liverpool academy, which includes how they brought in Ngumoha. This is a must-read, trust me! Join Mail+ for more exclusive scoops, in-depth reporting and analysis By Harry Bamforth Trent Alexander-Arnold only scores bangers, doesn't he? This has to be up there in his catalogue of goals, it's a hell of a strike from the full-back. Just look at the smile on his face as he celebrates too. .. he doesn't look like a man wanting to leave. That's one way to answer your critics, isn't it? By Harry Bamforth My word, time is absolutely flying! Our three other lunchtime kick-offs are now already back underway - where did the time go? Let's hope for some more goals in the second half, eh? By Aadam Patel At Anfield By Harry Bamforth There goes the half-time whistle. Liverpool are coasting toward the fourth round, but the scoreline does not tell the whole story. Accrington were causing the Reds some trouble in the first 25 minutes, but a counter-attack goal from Diogo Jota changed the game. The visitors may have felt like they were in the game at 1-0, but Trent Alexander-Arnold's screamer before the break has probably taken this match out of their reach. By Harry Bamforth Ohhhh, what a strike that is! Just as this game looks like it's ambling toward half-time, Trent Alexander-Arnold scores an absolute ripsnorter of a goal. Dominik Szoboszlai rolls the ball his way and he just pings it straight into the top left corner from 25 yards out. A sickener for Accrington just before the break. By Aadam Patel At Anfield By Harry Bamforth Now Tyler Morton fancies his chances from deep, but this attempt is even worse. the ball looks closer to leaving the stadium than hitting the back of the net. That being said, it's all Liverpool now. They have found their rhythm. By Harry Bamforth Diogo Jota is having an absolute field day here. The Portuguese drifts past a number of Accrington players before the ball is eventually worked to Harvey Elliott. You know straight away what he is going to do, and he indeed does have a pop form distance. It's a pretty pants strike though, and the keeper holds onto it. By Harry Bamforth Right, the whistle has blown in the three other lunchtime matches. Bristol City have gotten themselves back into the game at home to Wolves, but still trail. Meanwhile, Birmingham Cityt's strike inside 60 seconds sees them go into the break ahead against Lincoln. Middlesbrough and Blackburn are still yet to find the back of the net. By Harry Bamforth On the stroke of half-time! Scott Twine is brilliant at free-kicks and he has just curled in a pearler from 25 yards. Bristol City have not been given many chances but Twine takes the one that he is given. Game on! By Harry Bamforth Liverpool really needed that goal. Accrington were growing in confidence as the time ticked on and there was a feeling that this could become a really trick match for the Reds. Not now, though. That Diogo Jota strike will have eased a lot of nerves inside this ground. By Harry Bamforth That is Liverpool at their very best! The Reds launch a ruthless counter-attack from an Accrington free-kick and Diogo Jota finishes it off to hand them the lead. The hosts win the ball from the set-piece and it takes just 16 seconds and three passes before Jota taps the ball into an empty net. They are just so good on the transition, you are never safe. By Harry Bamforth How have Liverpool won a corner there? Kostas Tsimikas digs a cross out form deep again which Harvey Elliott gets on 5the end of. The winger midfielder produces a pretty pants header though and it looks destined to go wide. But Donald Love puts it out for a corner, which is a stange decision. , By Joe Bernstein At Anfield By Aadam Patel At Anfield By Harry Bamforth Darwin Nunez, welcome to the Football League. The Uruguayan has just got a taste of what it feels like to play a League Two side, and he didn't like it. He is wiped out by Donald Love and audibly screams in pain before rolling around on the floor. I would say he was being dramatic, but the challenge was quite rough. Didn't even get a booking, mind. .. By Harry Bamforth Oh, hello. .. Shaun Whalley is getting so much joy down the left on the counter for Accrington, and I mean a lot of joy. He gallops away in acres of space yet again before trying to pick out Josh Woods in the middle, but the ball is put behind for a corner. The resulting set-piece finds Woods, but he can't get a good connection on the ball. That will certainly encourage the visitors. By Harry Bamforth My word, Rio Ngumoha is a real talent! The youngster is just so confident on the ball, it's hard to believe he is only 16 years old. This time he dances past a couple of Accrington defenders before driving into the box. I am really enjoying watching this young lad, he's special. By Aadam Patel At Anfield By Harry Bamforth Oh, that is champagne football from Liverpool. The Reds show their quality as they rip through Accrington, with Dominik Szoboszlai dummying Kostas Tsimikas' pass through to Trent Alexander-Arnold. The full-back hammers a low drive at goal but it's beaten away by the goalkeeper. It only goes as far as Darwin Nunez and he simply has to score. .. but no, he blazes over the bar. That is Nunez all over, it really is. By Harry Bamforth My word, Accrington's tactics are. .. interesting. The visitors are not afraid to press Liverpool high in the hope of a mistake from the hosts. These type of tactics don't normally work in the Premier League, but I admire it. Maybe it will work today. .. By Harry Bamforth Two to the good! Wolves are taking apart Bristol City at will now and Rodrigo Gomes double their lead. Jorgen Strand Larsen and Goncalo Guedes combine before feeding Gomes in the area. The youngster then calmly chips the goalkeeper - a lovely finish. By Harry Bamforth What a ball that is from Kostas Tsimikas! The Greek delivers a stunning cross to the back post and Harvey Elliott manages to nod it back in the middle. Darwin Nunez is there but he heads over the bar as he is leaning back to reach it. The first chance of the game goes begging. By Joe Bernstein At Anfield By Harry Bamforth The pattern of play in this game is clear as day already. Liverpool are pressing Acringtomn back into their own box but there is something for the visitors on the counter. What I will say, is the away fans are having a glorious time, the only chants are coming from the Owd Reds. What a day it is for them! By Aadam Patel At Anfield By Harry Bamforth My word, it's absolutely freezing at Anfield. You can see all of the players' breath as they come out of the tunnel, and that says everything. Josh Woods, the Liverpool fan, touched the 'This is Anfield' sign as he walked out. I bet that was amazing for him. He will then be stopping himself from singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' as it's belted out as Accrington get the game underway. Can Accrington mont the biggest of shocks today? Well, we are about to find out. By Harry Bamforth Wolves grab the opener! It's not the prettiest of goals, but Rayan Ait-Nouri won't care in the slightest. The full-back bundles the ball home with his head, although the home players think he handles it. There is no VAR, though, and this will stand. By Harry Bamforth Dominik Szoboszlai seems to be rocking a new trim. .. Liverpool have just finished their warm-up and I couldn't help but notice Szoboszlai rocking a hairband. My instant thought was Fernando Torres, but he looks nothing like him really so it's only because of the hair. Anyway, we are nearly at kick-off - are you excited? By Harry Bamforth Well, that didn't take long. .. I didn't think I would have to give you updates on the other matches as soon as this, but Birmingham want to put me to work. The League One leaders have taken the lead against Lincoln City within 60 seconds at St Andrews. Ayumu Yokoyama brilliantly controlled the ball with his chest before a smart finish under the goalkeeper. What a start, eh? By Joe Bernstein At Anfield By Harry Bamforth Away we go! Three 12pm kick-offs have just got underway, including Wolves' clash with Bristol City in the south west. Middlesbrough's match against Blackburn and Lincoln's trip to Birmingham have also started. I will keep you updated on these games throughout the afternoon. By Harry Bamforth A penny for the thoughts of Federico Chiesa. This is the kind of game he would be expecting to start, considering he can't get a sniff in the Premier League. So, he must be feeling a little low after seeing that Arne Slot prefers 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha over him. No matter how you are, that's got to hurt. If Chiesa is not getting any starts even in the early rounds of the FA Cup, can we consider his move a failure? It doesn't feel like it's working out, at the moment. By Harry Bamforth Chris Sutton, It's All Kicking Off! co-host, on BBC Sport: By Harry Bamforth What a day it is for Accrington's Josh Woods. Just two months ago, Woods was sat inside Anfield cheering on his boyhood club Liverpool against Bayer Leverkusen. Today, he steps out onto the hallowed turf to face them. Crazy, right? I bet he never thought in his wildest dreams he would get to play against the club he adores so much this season. Well, he is today. He is going to have to push down his feelings for the Reds if he wants to inspire a cup upset. At least he will be happy whatever the result is, I guess. By Harry Bamforth Thanks, Tum - you are always far too kind to me! We are now just 30 minutes from kick-off at Anfield and it seems those arriving are getting excited. I mean, just look at those smiles. It's good that they have wrapped up warm because it is baltic in the north west. These are the days when I am happy to be sitting in a warm office. .. By Tum Balogun Alright, that's all from me this afternoon but don't think the fun starts there. I'm leaving you in the very capable hands of my colleague HARRY BAMFORTH, who will be guiding you through all the drama from around the grounds! Countdown to kick-off By Tum Balogun Traditionalists, rejoice because there's no VAR in the third round of the FA Cup. In case you missed it, the system will only be introduced from the fifth round. Also, there are no replays, so maybe the traditionalists will get angry again! By Tum Balogun I did not expect young Rio Ngumoha to be handed his first appearance this afternoon. At only 16 years old, he has been touted as a star of the future. The winger's movements on the pitch bear a striking resemblance to Real Madrid and France star Kylian Mbappe. For more on why Chelsea were so sad to see him go in the summer, read below. INSIDE SPORT: Angry Chelsea seek a payout as Liverpool swoop for top teenage talent By Tum Balogun We're about 45 minutes way from kick-off at Anfield and the Accrington players and manager are taking in their special moment on the hallowed Reds turf. It's a massive day for all of the players involved. By Tum Balogun Doolan has kept faith with the XI that secured a 2-0 win over Colchester United last weekend. That means that boyhood Reds fan Josh Woods get a dream start against Arne Slot's side this afternoon. By Tum Balogun Big news coming out of Anfield is that wonderkid Rio Ngumoha makes his first appearance for the Reds. The 16-year-old's signing from Chelsea was seen as a massive coup in the summer. Elsewhere, Dominik Szoboszlai returns from illness, Elliot gets a rare start but tere's no place for Federico Chiesa in the starting XI. By Tum Balogun The home side have arrived at the ground for this afternoon's game and there's a markedly younger look to the troops. I mean, it's as to be expected in a game against a lower-league outfit. No sign of Mo Salah but the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are in the group. Team news to follow shortly. By Tum Balogun Last night, players and coaches of the League Two club paid their respects to the 97 Liverpool fans killed in the Hillsborough disaster. The group observed a moment's silence in front of the memorial at Anfield. By Tum Balogun This is only the second-ever meeting between the two sides, with the first coming all the way back in 1956 when the Reds prevailed 2-0 thanks to a Billy Liddell brace. Yes, it was that long ago. Ahead of kick-off, here are a few more facts to sink your teeth into. .. Courtesy of Liverpool. com By Tum Balogun Mail Sport's David Lloyd, who played semi-professionally for Accrington Stanley in the 1960s, returned to the club this week with his home town gripped by FA Cup fever. 'Bumble' caught up with owner Andy Holt, the local businessman whose money saved Accrington from going under a decade ago, to discuss all things Stanley before heading to Liverpool as one of the near 5, 000 travelling support on Saturday. CLICK BELOW TO READ MORE By Tum Balogun John Doolan, Accrington Stanley boss, Redmen TV: By Tum Balogun Accrington Stanley will have at least one Liverpool supporter in their ranks, forward Josh Woods. The 24-year-old went viral after December's draw after his reaction to the news was uploaded to social media. Well, the day has finally arrived for the boyhood Reds fan. Could he have a part to play in the outcome? We'll have team news for you shortly. Josh Woods, Accrington Stanley, BBC: By Tum Balogun There are so many games taking place in the Cup this weekend. In fact, we've already had a handful at the back end of this week. We'll focus on the lunchtime games and there are four in total, including the clash at Anfield. In terms of 'cupsets', you'd have to look at Bristol City against Wolves. The other three clashes are getting underway at 12pm. By Tum Balogun Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, pre-match presser: By Tum Balogun I hate to start things off on a bit of a downer but I'd be remiss not to mention the iconic advert Accrington advert in a game against the Reds. As charming as the piece may be, it's unfortunately taken a rather sinister tone in the years that have followed. How very 2025, eh? For more info on the history of it take a moment to read the below. By Tum Balogun It's a special moment in the English footballing calendar and we're thankful there are a few magical FA Cup matches to mark it this year. Premier League leaders Liverpool welcome League Two Accrington Stanley to Anfield this afternoon in only the second-ever meeting between the sides. We'll focus on that game, which gets underway at 12: 15 p. m. Elsewhere, three fixtures kick off at midday. It's a jam-packed day of knockout football fun, and we'll be with you throughout it, providing updates from across the country. I can't wait to get started! Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group