Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrated his captaincy with a spectacular strike as Liverpool overcame the spirited challenge of underdogs Accrington Stanley.
The League Two team made light of the 86 places separating them from the Premier League leaders until Diogo Jota broke the deadlock after a swift counter-attack just before the half-hour mark.
Alexander-Arnold, strongly linked with a summer transfer to Real Madrid after his Anfield contract expires, doubled the lead right before halftime with a powerful shot from 20 yards. Late goals from substitutes Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa sealed the win.
Rio Ngumoha made a notable debut at just 16, and Accrington can take pride in their spirited performance for their enthusiastic fans, coming close when Josh Woods hit the woodwork at 2-0.
Darwin Nunez was involved as Liverpool sought an early lead.
He missed an opportunity set up by Harvey Elliott and then shot over after Alexander-Arnold’s effort was parried by Accrington goalkeeper William Crellin, who is on loan from Everton.
Trent Alexander-Arnold put Liverpool in a strong position before the interval with a brilliant strike.
The right-back marked his captaincy with a precise shot that soared into the top corner.
Federico Chiesa came off the bench to net his first goal for the Reds since joining in the summer.
Despite being underdogs, Accrington fought back when possible.
Wataru Endo, filling in as a makeshift center-back with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate absent, faced pressure as the underdogs pressed.
There was a moment of concern in Liverpool’s penalty area when wing-back Josh Woods found himself unmarked at the far post but couldn’t find the angle.
Ngumoha displayed confidence on the left flank, unafraid to dribble and feint, creating excitement whenever he got the ball.
The possession stats showed Liverpool at 83% after 25 minutes, yet it didn’t feel that way, with Crellin rarely troubled during that period.
Ironically, it was when Accrington advanced that Liverpool struck.
A foul by Ngumoha awarded the visitors a free-kick, allowing them to push forward for the set-piece.
Tsimikas cleared a header, and from there, Liverpool launched a rapid counter-attack.
For once, the Uruguayan kept his head up and showed composure to deliver a pass to Jota, who tapped in from close range.
It marked the Portuguese international’s seventh goal this season and made him the first Liverpool player to score against Accrington since the legendary Billy Liddell in the 1950s.
The goal appeared to ease Liverpool’s tension. Crellin was called into action to save a shot from Elliott as they sought to secure the win. Tyler Morton attempted an ambitious curler from 25 yards, coming close.
Alexander-Arnold, relishing the captaincy despite uncertainty over his future, capped an outstanding display with a goal showcasing his talent.
After Ngumoha had a shot blocked, the full-back picked up the ball on the right edge of the penalty area and drilled it into the top corner before Crellin could react.
The Kop erupted as the scorer was announced. Alexander-Arnold surely enjoyed that after facing criticism for his links to Real Madrid, and even Accies manager John Doolan, who once coached six-year-old Trent at Liverpool’s academy.
Federico Chiesa, who won the Italian Cup with Juventus last season, replaced Szoboszlai at halftime for his first taste of English football.
He fired into the side-netting, but there was even greater excitement at the other end when Stanley nearly pulled a goal back in front of their fans.
Josh Woods struck from the edge of the area, beating Caoimhin Kelleher but hitting the crossbar. It was agonizingly close for Woods, a lifelong Liverpool supporter.
Donald Love, a former Manchester United player, then missed a golden opportunity, heading over from a corner.
Ngumoha received praise from manager Arne Slot when he was substituted after 72 minutes. His debut was impressive, but Liverpool’s manager wanted his team to regain control as the match neared its conclusion.
It worked, as the 18-year-old substitute Danns scored Liverpool’s third just minutes after coming on. He set up Chiesa, who was denied by Crellin but followed up to score the rebound.
Chiesa then had time to net his first goal in English football after an injury-laden campaign, beating Crellin with a precise strike from just outside the penalty area.
Despite the defeat, the underdogs could hold their heads high. The famous milk advert from 1989 featured a young Liverpool fan asking, “Accrington Stanley, who are they?” They can be proud of proving to everyone at Anfield that they are a genuine football team.