Liverpool's forgotten man sends timely message to Arne Slot with FA Cup show

Federico Chiesa has been in danger of becoming a forgotten man at Liverpool.

But against Accrington Stanley, who famously got mentioned in that 1989 milk campaign advert as "Who are they?", the Italian showed something about who he is.

The obvious caveat is that this was against League Two opposition in Accrington, who had their resistance broken by two first-half goals. But, after a less-than inspiring start to his Reds career, the club’s only summer signing showed a glimmer of what he can do here at least.

Chiesa got the fourth goal - his first for the club - to finish off this FA Cup third-round tie late on. It was a fine finish after he was found by teenager Trey Nyoni. The £10m signing from Juventus ran towards the area before firing low in off the post from 22 yards. It was a deserved reward for his 45-minute cameo. Chiesa had earlier hit the post, had two attempts saved and set up Darwin Nunez for a chance.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot will want to see some of this against much better opposition. But it is a flicker of hope for Chiesa, who had only featured four times before yesterday due to injuries, illness and lack of match fitness.

In fact, it was a bit of illness beforehand which denied him a start as the Reds took on a side 86 places below them in the football league pyramid.

There was a place in the team for Rio Ngumoha, who at 16 years and 135 days became the youngest player to start a game for Liverpool. And the teenage recruit from Chelsea didn’t look out of place in this rotated Reds side, with some nice moves and touches in a promising display.

Liverpool took their time to get going. Maybe the freezing temperatures led to the luke-warm start in a fairly subdued atmosphere for the ridiculously early kick-off. Trent Alexander-Arnold had the captain’s armband and he had the Reds’ first shot which was well saved before Nunez fired over the rebound. Accrington, with manager and Everton season ticket holder John Doolan urging them on, were trying to counter relentlessly with quick balls over the top.

But it was actually a counter from the Reds which opened the scoring just before the half hour mark.

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Dominik Szoboszlai found Alexander-Arnold and he released Nunez, who crossed for Diogo Jota to tap into the net with Everton loanee Billy Crellin already beaten in the visitors’ goal. Alexander-Arnold fired in the second before the break with a stunning finish from 20 yards.

Just six days ago he delivered a shocking performance against Manchester United here but this was what the Reds fans want to see. There were a few verses of “Scousers in our team” from the Kop and warm applause when he was taken off in the second half. The Real Madrid interest remains but he’s still wanted here.

The scoreline was a little harsh on the League Two side who had played well in the first half and they could have got back into the game after the break. Reds fan Josh Woods cracked the bar with a fizzing strike before Donald Love headed over when he was unmarked in the area.

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Chiesa had settled into the game after replacing Szoboszlai at the break amid a reshuffle from Slot. He threatened twice on the right before being involved in the third goal with 14 minutes to go. Substitute Jayden Danns did brilliantly to win the ball back and he beat a player before finding Chiesa’s run. The Italy international could have done better with the shot but Crellin’s save only directed the ball to Danns. The teenager fired in. His third senior goal for the club after a brace in this competition against Southampton last season.

Chiesa clipped the outside of the post with three minutes to go after some good work and he must have thought his chance had gone to get his first goal for the Reds.

But his moment came in the 90th minute and it was a fine strike no matter the opposition.

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