FA Cup: Liverpool vs Cardiff City player ratings as the Reds progress to the next round with Harvey Elliott scoring on his return
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Liverpool defeated Cardiff by 3-1 to qualify for next round of FA Cup.
Liverpool locked horns with Cardiff City at Anfield for FA Cup’s fourth round. Liverpool’s new signing Luis Diaz’s appearance in the squad is seemingly a talking point while Harvey Eliott also returned after missing the last few months due to an injury.
The first half at Anfield was a bit cagey affair where Liverpool had good ball possession and had many chances but could not find the back of the net. However, Liverpool made a very good return in the second half as they played some wonderful football. Jota, Minamino, and Eliott scored for Liverpool as they defeated Cardiff by 3-1. Eliott’s return from injury and Diaz’s debut were two big positives for Liverpool.
Liverpool
Caoimhin Kelleher 6.5/10
He wasn’t much tested in the first half apart from that long shot by Collins. He committed a foul outside his area after he misjudged the movement of the striker and he received a yellow card. When it came to distribution, most of the time, was very good.
Trent Alexander Arnold 7/10
He had a good couple of free-kick opportunities to try to score but he could not hit the target as one was blocked and the other went high over the bar. Trent, who is one of the best passers in world football at the moment, came up big when he gave a perfect set-piece delivery to Jota who found the back of the net. Another assist for this incredible right back.
Konate 6/10
He had a little moment of a scare where there was a possible check for a penalty after his duel with the Cardiff forward. He was good on the ball but could have done better while dealing with Colwill who scored for the away side.
Virgil Van Dijk 7.5/10
He was calm and composed as usual. He was very good on the ball and kept the attack quiet with neat tackles and interceptions. He won his aerial and ground duels and also had a very good pass accuracy.
Kostas Tsimikas 7/10
The greek full-back caused the rearguard many problems with his link-up play and good lobbed deliveries. He set up a very good goal-scoring chance in the first half and also gave Firmino a good lobbed delivery but he missed a with a narrow margin.
Jordan Henderson 6/10
He looked off the pace in the first half where he lost the ball quite a few times. However he returned better in the second half and contributed to the attack with some lobbed crosses from the wings.
Naby Keita 6.5/10
He combined well with Minamino on the right to create some good opportunities for Jot and Firmino. However his long shots were off target by some distance.
Curtis Jones 6/10
He had a decent distribution to his play and combined well with Kostas on left but could not directly contribute to the play. He had a very good chance of scoring when the ball landed at feet after good work by Jota and Minamino but he could not dispatch.
Takumi Minamino 6.5/10
The Japanese enjoyed a good amount of ball and he combined well with Jota to create some opportunities. He scored Liverpool’s second goal and his seventh of the season capturing on the chance created by Diaz.
Diogo Jota 7/10
the Portuguese scored his 14th goal of the season with a perfect-headed finish into the left bottom corner. Liverpool’s major threat, especially in the first half. He set up tsimikas very well on the left with a neat short inside pass to create a good goal-scoring opportunity.
Roberto Firmino 6.5/10
Had a half-chance in the first forty-five to score with a headed finish but it went over the bar. He was good on the ball trying to make things tick with good passing and distribution of the ball.
Substitutes
Luis Diaz 7/10
A huge moment for the Colombian as he made his Liverpool debut. He did a great footwork to in the ball and created a chance for Minamino.
Harvey Eliott 7/10
He was very impressive on the ball after returning from injury and scored a wonderful goal with a volley connecting with Robertson’s cross.
James Milner N/A
Thiago N/A
Cardiff City
Dillon Phillips 6/10
He displayed strong hands when he saved Jota’s first shot on target. However, Liverpool’s attacking prowess got the better of him in the end. He could have done better in order to deny Jota’s header.
Aden Flint 6.5/10
He made a huge clearance in the first half as he denied Liverpool a good goal-scoring chance. However, he made a big mistake where he lost the ball but Liverpool could not capitalize on it.
Mark McGuiness 6/10
He made some significant clearances but in the end, could not prevent the attack line. Further, due to constant pressure, he could not forward much.
Oliver Denham 5.5/10
Oliver started as a left-sided center half but Liverpool was lethal on that flank. Tsimikas and later on Jota caused him a lot of trouble.
Perry Ng 5.5/10
He was not involved much as the Reds had a lot of possession and dominated his flank. He made a good tackle near the box to stop the Reds.
Will Vaulks 6/10
He was Cardiff’s most lively player. His distribution was good and some of his interceptions in the first half were impressive. The gaffer must have liked his work rate.
Eli King 6/10
King was off the pace, especially in the second half. Luis Diaz got the better of him as he set up the chance for Minamino.
Marlon Pack 6/10
Not one of the most creative midfielders on the pitch, but he still was a significant figure in the midfield for his team. He sent some good long balls but could not find Collins.
Joel Bagan 7/10
Probably the most impressive Cardiff player on the pitch. He won four out of his five duels and was pretty impressive on the ball too. He sent a blistering cross to Collis but he could not convert.
Mark Harris 6.5/10
He had one good chance near the box where Liverpool looked off the pace but the shot was high. At times he combined well with Collins in the first half.
James Collins 6/10
He had Cardiff’s best chance in the first half as he tested Kelleher with a good right-footed shot from twenty-five yards. Apart from that Konate and Van Dijk got the better of him.
Substitutes:
Rubin Colwill 7.5/10
A huge moment for the youngster as he scored Cardiff’s goal with a great right-footed finish from near the box.
Thomas Doyle N/A
Jordan Hugil N/A
Also Read FA Cup: Manchester City vs Fulham player ratings as Guardiola’s side progresses for the next round after beating Fulham by 4-1
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Aditi Srinivas
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