Liverpool breezed through to the FA Cup fourth round after putting four unanswered goals past Accrington Stanley on Saturday. Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold had given the Reds a comfortable lead at the break, before substitutes Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa wrapped up a convincing win.

Naming a much-changed side, the day went swimmingly for Arne Slot as Liverpool avoided any fresh injuries, recording their first victory of the calendar year, and handed much-needed minutes to their lesser-used stars and youngsters.

Slot was quick to remind all that the Reds had been playing a League Two side following the final whistle, urging supporters to not get carried away at the sight of 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha making his Liverpool debut or Chiesa scoring his first goal.

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With the Reds returning to winning ways after below-par performances against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, the ECHO rounds up how the national media reacted to their FA Cup third round win…

Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph was impressed by Chiesa’s cameo, after the Italian had been sent on at half-time and made a long-awaited first impact in a Liverpool shirt, pointing out he would not be the first new signing who needed time before introducing himself.

“Welcome to Liverpool, Federico Chiesa. We have been expecting you,” he wrote. “Six months after signing, the Italian finally knows how it feels to celebrate in front of the Kop, his first goal for the club adding gloss to a comfortable win over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round…

“On the eve of the match it looked like he would miss this tie, too, illness meaning he could not train for two days before taking a place on the substitutes’ bench.

“He recovered for what he must hope will be the turning point of his season. Not that Arne Slot is in the market for platitudes about welcoming an existing squad player like he is ‘a new signing’. Let’s not get carried away,” was the note of caution from Slot, who described the goal as a ‘good first step’ in what may be a long journey to the Chiesa that Europe remembers.

“All the reports from the AXA training ground suggest this is typical of Chiesa’s fine finishing. What he has lacked so far is the stamina and physical capacity to contribute to the Premier League and Champions League push.

“Chiesa would not be the first Liverpool signing of the last few years who needed at least half a season to be match-ready and fully understand the manager’s demands with and without the ball. Andy Robertson and Fabinho became legends after barely playing for months under Jürgen Klopp. Ryan Gravenberch was an understudy for the whole of last season.

“On the surface, Chiesa’s pace and strength in possession would suggest it is a matter of time, training and games before his class emerges more often, although – as Slot insisted – judgment will be reserved until he is trusted against more formidable opponents, and demonstrates the qualities which made him such a stand-out player in the Italian side which won Euro 2020. For sure, Liverpool need that version of Chiesa to show up. If he does, the timing could be perfect, given the challenges ahead in four competitions.”

Andy Hunter of The Guardian praised Liverpool for the manner of their routine victory, and Accrington for never just accepting their fate despite the vast gulf between the two sides.

He wrote: “John Doolan was nearing the end of his post-match press conference when the enormity of Accrington Stanley’s Anfield adventure hit home. “Trent Alexander-Arnold put one in the top corner,” said the Accrington manager. “Federico Chiesa put one in the bottom corner … look at these names I’m talking about.” It was one of the few occasions when someone from the League Two club appeared overawed.

“Liverpool, much changed by Arne Slot but packed with quality, never gave their lower-league opponents a glimmer of an upset. The milk advert remains the closest connection between the two clubs. Diogo Jota, captain for the day Alexander-Arnold, impressive 18-year-old Jayden Danns and Chiesa, with his first Liverpool goal, delivered a comfortable victory for the Premier League leaders.

“But Accrington ensured this was no procession. The 2-0 half-time scoreline was harsh on the League Two club, who stand to make almost £500,000 from the tie…

“The difference between Premier League and League Two was laid bare by the opening goal. It was the first time Accrington were out of shape and vulnerable to a counterattack, due to having a dangerous free-kick of their own deep inside the Liverpool half. When Ben Woods’s set piece was headed clear by Kostas Tsimikas, and Nelson Khumbeni floated the ball back in to Dominik Szoboszlai, the visitors were torn apart ruthlessly.”

The Times’ Ian Whittell focused on the performance of captain for the day Trent Alexander-Arnold, as the Liverpool starlet issued the perfect response after his struggles against Manchester United six days earlier.

He wrote: “Trent Alexander-Arnold, handed a surprise start along with the captain’s armband for the day, provided the highlight of this FA Cup victory with a goal that started the process of his rehabilitation in the eyes of his manager and supporters.

“The England defender, widely criticised for his performance in last weekend’s Premier League draw with Manchester United, has been the subject of intense interest from Real Madrid in the January transfer window — two things that may not be unconnected.

“Alexander-Arnold was the only starter from the United game on duty from the kick-off as Liverpool eased through to the fourth round against the League Two club. His selection was the result of a slight injury concern about Conor Bradley, but it also allowed him to focus on the field, rather than off it…

“The tie eventually ended in a routine enough victory, and a first goal for the club for Federico Chiesa since his summer move from Juventus, but until Alexander-Arnold struck on the stroke of half-time, the Premier League leaders had toiled against a side 86 places beneath them.”

Richard Jolly of the Independent was also left impressed by Alexander-Arnold as the defender demonstrated why Real Madrid are interested in him in the first place.

He wrote: “Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is likelier to involve Real Madrid than Accrington Stanley. The Bernabeu may prove to be his new home but he might forever remain a stranger to the Wham Stadium in Lancashire. Accrington could not quite emulate Carlo Ancelotti’s team, losing 4-0 at Anfield, where the Champions League holders went down 2-0, but they got a glimpse of the class that prompted Real to make an approach for Alexander-Arnold last week.

“A shot from 20 yards was whipped, bent, measured and caressed, designed to nestle in the top corner of the net. “I could talk for hours about that,” said Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot, “Unbelievable.”

“And perhaps cruel for Accrington’s manager, John Doolan, who coached Alexander-Arnold when he was six or seven and was surprised when the right-back remembered and approached him after the final whistle. “He is such a such a wonderful and humble guy,” he said. “To do that shows the class he has.”

“Accrington, it is safe to say, did not have to face such quality when their FA Cup run began against Rushall Olympic. Predictably, it ended at Anfield. If the team from the depths of League Two were surprised to see Alexander-Arnold’s name on a team sheet designed to avert a shock, they can at least testify to the artistry of the right-back who wants to win the Ballon d’Or.

“Last week illustrated what he sometimes can’t do, even if his defensive deficiencies can be exaggerated and his good days overshadowed by the bad. This was a demonstration of what he can do: strike a ball better than almost anyone else currently playing.”

The Daily Mail’s Aadam Patel also focused on a ‘trademark performance’ from Liverpool’s vice-captain against the League Two outfit.

He wrote: “It was a strike of high class. The power of Trent Alexander-Arnold's right-footed effort combined with the placement and the dip to beat Accrington Stanley keeper Billy Crellin would have beaten most top keepers.

“A reminder again of his quality, if it was ever required. Alexander-Arnold turned towards the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, smiled and spread his arms out as Anfield appreciated him once more.

“Less than a week after one of the toughest days of his career against Manchester United, this was a trademark performance from the Liverpool full back. Almost a fortnight has passed since Liverpool 'emphatically rebuffed' an approach from Real Madrid to buy the 26-year-old yet still there is no word from him…

“Until now, Slot has navigated any contract-related questions with ease but privately the Dutchman must be growing tired of the topic as his side compete on all four fronts.

“When Alexander-Arnold was substituted on the hour mark, he handed the armband to Wataru Endo, applauded all four sides of the ground and took it all in as they sang his name proudly once more. Deep down, only he truly knows whether he has a few more months or a few more years of that adulation.”

And finally, the Liverpool ECHO’s very own LFC correspondent, Paul Gorst, reflected on how Liverpool’s season is showing no sign of slowing down as they continue to challenge on all four fronts.

He wrote: “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…

“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... 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.”