Liverpool Down Cardiff In FA Cup As Elliotte Scores On Return

Liverpool finally broke through when Jota glanced in a fine header from Alexander-outswinging Arnold's free kick, releasing the home side's pressure valve.

Liverpool advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the second time in seven seasons, defeating a weakened but determined Cardiff City.

The much-changed visitors, who are currently 20th in the Championship, dug in to frustrate Jurgen Klopp’s men during a goalless first half in which they had a penalty appeal turned down after Mark Harris collided with Ibrahima Konate.

Liverpool’s dominance was finally rewarded in the second half when Diogo Jota headed in Trent Alexander-free Arnold’s kick. A new signee Harvey Elliott marked his return after five months out injured with an elegant swivel and finish after Luis Diaz came on to set up Takumi Minamino for the Reds’ second.

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Substitute Rubin Colwill’s powerful low drive gave Cardiff’s large and boisterous travelling supporters a late reason to cheer, but Liverpool will face Norwich City in the knockout stages. Despite having not played in a fortnight, Liverpool fielded a strong side that would have frightened most Premier League teams, let alone those in the Championship.

Cardiff manager Steve Morison, on the other hand, appeared to be prioritizing his team’s fight for survival in the second tier by fielding an inexperienced team, with first senior starts for teenagers Oliver Denham and Eli King.

Liverpool quickly asserted their dominance, forcing their opponents to defend deep and creating the game’s first chance after four minutes, when Jota turned and shot powerfully in the box, only for Dillon Phillips to react with a superb save.

Cardiff had to absorb pressure as expected, but they also posed a threat on the break, with Harris leading their attack with vigour. Wales’ forward cut inside from the left and was brought down by Konate’s clumsy challenge, but referee Andy Madley turned down penalty appeals.

That served as a wake-up call for Liverpool, who had 82 percent possession in the first half but were let down by sloppy finishing, such as Curtis Jones’ shot from a Minamino pull-back, which sailed well over.

Another heated exchange between Harris and the officials occurred less than a minute into the second half. Harris was the first to reach a long ball from Will Vaulks, but he was taken out midway through the Liverpool half by a rash sliding tackle by Caoimhin Kelleher.

Madley, who appeared to believe Konate would have covered for Kelleher, showed the Liverpool keeper a yellow card rather than a red card, and his decision was supported by video assistant referee Darren England, who also ruled out serious foul play.

Liverpool finally broke through when Jota glanced in a fine header from Alexander-outswinging Arnold’s free kick, releasing the home side’s pressure valve.

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Jota missed another chance to score moments later when he hooked a volley wide from Kostas Tsimikas’ corner, before Diaz took advantage of Perry Ng’s hesitant defending to feed Minamino for a close-range finish.

Elliott, who came on as a substitute for his first appearance since suffering a serious ankle injury last September and capped his return with a wonderful goal in front of the Kop, received perhaps the loudest applause from the Liverpool fans.

Cardiff’s Colwill responded with an excellent finish that earned him a hug and some encouraging words from Klopp at the final whistle, but this was Liverpool’s day as they took another step forward in a competition they haven’t won since 2006.

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