It may have come against League Two opposition, but Liverpool’s victory over Accrington Stanley will have been a highly satisfactory one for Reds boss Arne Slot – for a number of reasons.
The Dutchman fielded a strong team which subjected their opponents to relentless pressure in the first half and eventually took a deserved lead through Diogo Jota just before the half-hour mark.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and was criticised by some fans following last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United, silenced those critics with a tremendous strike into the top corner on the stroke of half-time.
Rio Ngumoha, the youngest player to start a match for Liverpool at just 16 years and 135 days old, was a lively presence down the Reds’ left and received a warm ovation from the Anfield crowd after being replaced by fellow teenager Jayden Danns – scorer of the hosts’ third.
But it was Federico Chiesa who had the final say, capping an energetic display with his first goal for the club late on.
The summer signing from Juventus has endured an injury-hit campaign so far but will hope Saturday’s goal marks the start of a career revival.
