In an FA Cup tie where the moral victory was never going to be up for grabs, Liverpool ensured they were professional enough to secure the actual win that puts their name in the hat for the fourth-round draw.

And full credit to the travelling supporters of League Two strugglers Accrington, who even when comfortably losing to a side many believe is Europe's best right now, still had enough humour to tell their hosts that they were "only here to see the Stanley".

Arne Slot's side were unlikely to ever be on the end of a genuine giant-killing but they kept enough class around the edges when it mattered to come away worthy winners with a 4-0 scoreline that didn't flatter them, even if it was harsh on the visiting team for what was just the second-ever meeting between these two.

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As was expected, Liverpool dominated the ball and their visitors were content to sit in and wait patiently for any breaks that might arise but the Reds kept the backdoor shut for the most part with makeshift centre-half Watraru Endo always willing to mop up if needed alongside Jarell Quansah at the back.

After Darwin Nunez had spurned a couple of presentable openings, the Uruguay striker turned provider for Diogo Jota as the hosts made the most of a counter-attack that also featured Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold. It was a lighting transition that ended with Jota scoring on what was just his second start since October.

Alexander-Arnold, captain for the day, curled home a beautiful second shortly before the break, arching a ball into the top corner from the edge of the box. There was little to analyse for the amateur body-language experts as he was mobbed by his team-mates. The Kop's immediate rendition of 'the Scouser in our team' was a heartening display of support after that failed approach from Real Madrid late last month was followed up by a performance against Manchester United that was way off the pace.

This might have 'only' been a lowly League Two side but the strike and all-round performance was a nice way to move the storyline on as questions over his long-term future remain in play. The second airing of the famous Alexander-Arnold ditty, upon his 60th-minute subbing for Conor Bradley, was instructive to the general mood among match-going fans as the impasse drags on.

Substitute Jayden Danns added another memorable moment to his growing collection in the FA Cup when he made it 3-0 with his third goal in this competition. Fellow substitute Federico Chiesa saw his shot saved by Billy Crellin before Danns pounced with a poacher's finish

Chiesa, who was lively during his own second-half cameo, was not to be denied and after striking the base of the woodwork, he was able to register his first goal for the Reds when an effort from about 22 yards nestled into the back of the net via the opposite post. It was a timely contribution from a player who, for a variety of fitness-related issues, has been unable to perform anywhere near as much as he would like.

This was a small step in the right direction for Chiesa but the challenge now is to keep fit and show Slot that he is able to offer more than substitute appearances in cup competitions. His only start to date came in late September, in the Carabao Cup against West Ham and Slot was quick to reference the general level of the opposition, making it clear that he will need to be impressed further before more game-time is dished out.

And a word for Harvey Elliott, who was able to complete just his second 90 minutes of a campaign that has been more difficult than first imagined when he starred during pre-season. A foot injury that, by his own admission last month, got "worse and worse" stunted progress before he returned to a squad that was flying atop both the Premier League and Champions League. This performance of ingenuity, across two positions, will have at least given Slot some food for thought going forward. Like Chiesa, it was a good stride into the general direction he wants to be heading.

Now, to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, for a game that should see the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch all suitably refreshed at an ideal juncture and Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister and Andy Robertson should all benefit from a lack of involvement here too. The trip to the City Ground has suddenly come to represent a major sign-post for Liverpool's aims as they attempt to bounce back further from a slight stumble at the start of 2025.

It was a home tie in the FA Cup around this time last year that immediately followed Jurgen Klopp's bombshell announcement that he was to be walking away at the end of the term. Back then, a 5-2 smiting of Championship side Norwich City did little to slow the pace of the questions that were flying in the direction of the football club at the time.

What now? Who next? And what happens to the squad that Klopp has rebuilt? Twelve months on and those fears of stepping into the unknown have evaporated. Instead, the club are going full steam ahead under Slot for what is shaping up to be a particularly exciting second period of this campaign.

Supporters who braved the elements to sit through this Cup stroll will have felt a sense of contentment from the low-profile thumbs up offered by Slot as he made his own exit at full time. Even if they were "only here to see the Stanley", of course.