Liverpool vs Cardiff LIVE: FA Cup result and final score as Harvey Elliott scores
The Reds are into the fifth round where they will face Norwich
New £37.5million signing Luis Diaz gave Anfield a glimpse of what he can offer with an encouraging 30-minute cameo in Liverpool’s 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round win over Cardiff City.
The Colombia international only met his team-mates for the first time on Friday having waited in Paris most of the week for his visa to come through following his move from Porto last Sunday.
But there was no lacking in determination or invention as he played a significant role in the decisive second goal for Takumi Minamino, after Diogo Jota’s 15th of the season had made the breakthrough.
However, not to be outdone 18-year-old Harvey Elliott announced his return after five months out with an ankle fracture dislocation with a brilliant swivelled finish in front of the Kop - his first goal for the club.
Cardiff substitute Rubin Colwill scored an 80th-minute consolation for the visitors with a smart finish but a place in the last 16 - and a home tie against Norwich - for only the second time in Jurgen Klopp’s reign was never in doubt.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Cardiff
48 mins: There are boos from the visiting fans as the decision not to send off the Liverpool goalkeeper comes through. It wasn’t a good tackle and he’s lucky to still be on the pitch.
The game’s getting a bit feisty. Tsimikas and Ng come together on the left side with the Liverpool defender winning a free kick after a bit of a tussle.
Second half: Liverpool 0 - 0 Cardiff
Kick off: Naby Keita gets the match back underway. There haven’t been any changes at half-time from either team. Liverpool work the ball down the left wing and flick the ball towards the box. It’s headed out to Will Vaulks who boots it clear and sends Mark Harris sprinting into the Liverpool half.
Caoimhin Kelleher comes flying out of the penalty area and completely mistimes his tackle on the forward. He scrapes down the back of Harris’ leg and picks up a yellow card.
The Cardiff City fans are chanting ‘off, off, off’ as the incident is referred to VAR but nothing more comes of it.
Half-time: Liverpool 0 - 0 Cardiff
45+1 mins: Cardiff make it to half-time on level terms at Anfield. Liverpool haven’t been at their best but they’re dominant on the ball and have created a few chances.
For all their dominance though they’ve only managed one shot on target - the same as Cardiff - and still look as though they’re operating in second gear.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Cardiff
44 mins: Alexander-Arnold picks out Jota on the front edge of the box and he lays the ball off to Henderson who fancies himself from range. He tries to curl the effort into the far bottom corner but puts too much swerve on the shot and fires it wide of the back post.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Cardiff
41 mins: Vaulks intercepts a pass from Keita as he attempts to play Jones into the right side of the box. The Cardiff man runs the ball over to the wing but Liverpool win it back.
A pass comes to the edge of the box where Aden Flint tries to clear his lines. He takes his eyes off the ball and swipes at the air. For a moment there’s a chance that Jota will latch on to the loose ball but Denham is covering and clears the danger.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Cardiff
38 mins: Minamino shimmies away from Vaulks but gets clipped by Collins just outside the Cardiff City penalty area. Alexander-Arnold lines it up again but this time boots it over the wall and over the goal.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Cardiff
35 mins: Chance! Minamino is played into the right side of the box and plays a lovely one-two with Jota to work the ball into space. Cardiff’s defenders sweep across to block a potential shot but Minamino cuts it back to Jones who should score but leans back on his shot from 10-yard and boots it over the crossbar!
Liverpool 0 - 0 Cardiff
32 mins: A floaty pass from Henderson drops over Ng but Jones is expecting it and can’t bring the ball under control in time to shoot. Instead he flicks it back into the middle of the box where the ball is headed down to Keita who volleys an effort high and wide.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Cardiff
30 mins: Firmino turns away from Vaulks and looks for a way into the box down the inside left. Vaulks comes across and slides into a tackle, taking Firmino’s legs out from under him and giving Liverpool a free kick in a dangerous area.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the man standing over the deadball. He goes for goal but whacks the effort straight into the wall where it hits James Collins flush in the face.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Cardiff
27 mins: Cardiff lose the ball just outside their own box and Liverpool don’t take advantage. Jones passes the ball across to Keita who takes a touch and then hits one from range. He scuffs the effort and sends the shot wide of the right-hand post.
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