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.
FA Cup fourth round: Liverpool vs Cardiff line-ups
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Henderson, Keita, Jones, Minamino, Jota, Firmino
Cardiff XI: Phillips, Ng, McGuinness, Flint, Denham, Bagan, Vaulhs, King, Pack, Harris, Collins
FA Cup fourth round: Today’s action
The fourth round of the FA Cup concludes today with the final three fixtures. Liverpool vs Cardiff kicks off at 12pm and is followed by Nottingham Forest vs Leicester at 4pm and finally Bournemouth vs Boreham Wood at 6.30pm.
The draw for the fifth round takes place just before Liverpool and Cardiff kick off with coverage starting on ITV around 11.15am - about 20 minutes away - before that though, we should have the team news from the early kick.
FA Cup fourth round: Previous results
Liverpool hosted Shrewsbury when they entered the competition at the third round stage. Daniel Udoh gave the visitors the perfect start by sending them in front in the 27th minute but Kaide Gordon equalised seven minutes later and Liverpool never looked back.
Fabinho bagged a brace and Roberto Firmino also scored as the Reds completed a professional 4-1 over the League One club.
In the last round Cardiff were drawn against Preston North End in an all-Championship tie.
Isaak Davies edged the hosts in front three minutes before the interval at Cardiff City Stadium, but Daniel Johnson’s penalty brought Preston level shortly after the restart.
Extra-time was required to separate the teams and it was Cardiff who progressed courtesy of Mark Harris’ 116th-minute winning goal.
FA Cup fourth round: Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool players will only get picked on merit
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists there is no room for sentiment in his team selection and previous performance is no guarantee of a regular place.
Most of the German’s first-choice side are Champions League and Premier League winners having won the trophies in back-to-back seasons.
However, the arrival of Colombia winger Luis Diaz in a £37.5million transfer from Porto looks like the second stage, after Diogo Jota’s signing in September 2020, of refreshing his famed forward line.
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool players will only get picked on merit
Luis Diaz is the latest player to arrive at Anfield
FA Cup fourth round: Morison on team changes
Cardiff City manager Steve Morison spoke about the potential changes to his starting XI today and how to balance the side with players missing through injury and cup ties. He said:
I was going to make changes anyway, but they’re somewhat enforced anyway,
“Uche [Ikpeazu]and Cody [Drameh] are both cup-tied so it’s a really good opportunity to reward some of the younger players that have been tasked with looking after this football club over the last six months and trying to get them away from the bottom of the table.
“Some of them may never get the chance to play again at Anfield and may get that extra urge off the back of it to say, ‘Actually, this is where I want to play all my games of football.’
“It will be a great day. One we’re looking forward to.”
FA Cup fourth round: Klopp on Diaz
In a press conference on Friday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was asked about the possibility of new signing Luis Diaz making an appearance in today’s FA Cup clash against Cardiff but the Reds boss wasn’t decided one way or the other. He said:
If he would have been here yesterday [Thursday] and could have trained a little bit, I would have considered it definitely. Now, I don’t know,
“Let’s have a look. I wouldn’t say no because I would be excited as well. A few minutes in a sold-out Anfield is nice. But let’s see.”
FA Cup fourth round: Liverpool vs Cardiff team news
Liverpool’s Divock Origi returned to full training on Thursday and looked ‘very good’ says Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.
Naby Keita is back with the squad after a spell at the Africa Cup of Nations, but Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are still in Cameroon and will face each other in the AFCON final later tonight.
18-year-old Harvey Elliott is set to be named in the Liverpool squad for the first time since September and Thiago Alcantara will be assessed before the game following a hip injury.
Finally, Jurgen Klopp hasn’t ruled out new signing Luis Diaz making an appearance during the game, but it may be too soon for the 25-year-old.
Cardiff manager Steve Morison says that he is awaiting the results of a scan to see whether captain Sean Morrison is fit for the game. Alfie Doughty is cup-tied and misses out with Joe Ralls and Curtis Nelson also doubts due to slight knocks.
Uche Ikpeazu and Cody Drameh are both cup-tied too.
FA Cup Fifth Round Draw
When is it and what time does it start?
The draw will take place at around 11.30am GMT on Sunday 6 February ahead of Liverpool’s fixture against Cardiff City.
How can I watch it online and on TV?
The draw will be broadcast live on ITV and the ITV Hub, with coverage beginning at 11.15am GMT.
FA Cup Fifth Round Draw
Who is in the draw?
- Crystal Palace
- AFC Bournemouth or Boreham Wood
- Huddersfield Town
- Peterborough United
- Luton Town
- Southampton
- Chelsea
- Everton
- West Ham United
- Middlesbrough
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Liverpool or Cardiff City
- Stoke City
- Nottingham Forest or Leicester City
- Manchester City
- Norwich City
Liverpool vs Cardiff
Liverpool will need to overcome a recently rejuvenated Cardiff City side if they want to reach the FA Cup fifth round, as the two sides meet at Anfield on Sunday. This is the first of three games in the competition today, with Nottingham Forest facing an intriguing test against Leicester City and, later, Bournemouth hosting Boreham Wood.
The Reds are of course heavy favourites, but will be mindful of surprises suffered by top-flight sides already this weekend, after Manchester United were knocked out on penalties by Middlesbrough and both West Ham and Chelsea faced upsets before turning matters around. Liverpool and Cardiff met in the final of the League Cup final back in 2012; in this competition the Reds reached the FA Cup final in the same year - losing to Chelsea - while the Bluebirds were beaten 2008 finalists.
Jurgen Klopp’s team are already through to one domestic cup final later this month and they’ll hope to continue their chances of reaching another here - potentially with new signing Luis Diaz making his debut at some stage.
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