Liverpool player ratings, heroes and villains in Cardiff City win as Harvey Elliott enjoys perfect return

Liverpool booked their spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup as they eased to a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City at Anfield.

It means Jurgen Klopp’s men continue their assault on four fronts as they still have designs on winning the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup this season.

Liverpool dominated the first half yet failed to create enough gilt-edged chances against the Championship visitors.

Their best opportunity fell to Diogo Jota in the fourth minute when his trickery created space in the box but Cardiff keeper Dillon Phillips produced a decent save.

However, the Reds finally made a breakthrough in the 54th minute when Jota headed home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick.

Then Takumi Minamino put the tie beyond reach when he finished into an empty net after fine work from debutant Luis Diaz to win the ball back deep in Cardiff territory.

Harvey Elliott was brought on for his comeback game after a five-month absence due to a horrific ankle injury he suffered at Leeds in September.

The midfield starlet couldn’t have asked for a better return when added a third in the 76th minute with an excellent finish on the spin that brought jubilant celebrations.

Cardiff did have something to cheer with 11 minutes remaining when Rubin Colwill grabbed a consolation.

But it’s Liverpool who are into the fifth round where they will meet Norwich City at home.

The heroes

- Harvey Elliott: what a moment that must have been for the teenager. Elliott has endured five months of rehab and there would have been some tough and dark days. But his first Liverpool goal was why he went through the long process. His finish was excellent and it’ll be a moment he’ll never forget in front of the Kop.

- Diogo Jota: the Portuguese is having an exceptional second season at Anfield and yet again stepped up in the absence of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane. Jota probably should have scored his chance earlier in the first half but stepped up with a superb header to atone for his previous miss.

- Luis Diaz: a fine debut for the £50 million January signing from Porto. Diaz displayed exactly the sort of cameo Klopp would have been looking for. His pressure forced Ng into a mistake that led to Minamino’s goal and was lively afterwards.

The villains

- Perry Ng: the born-and-bred Scouser won’t want to watch replays of his error again. Diaz’s pressure was a reason but Ng had the chance to concede a corner rather than gifting Liverpool a second.

- Naby Keita: an underwhelming performance from the Reds midfielder. Liverpool needed thrust and dynamism in the first half but Keita was largely uninvolved.

Player ratings

Liverpool: Kelleher 6, Alexander-Arnold 7, Konate 6, Van Dijk 6, Tsimikas 7 (Robertson 69; 7), Keita 5 (Elliott 57; 7), Henderson 6 (Thiago 78; 6), Jones 6 (Diaz 57; 7) Minamino 6 (Milner 69; 6), Firmino 6, Jota 7.

Cardiff: Phillips 5, Ng 4, McGuinness 5, Flint 5, Denham 5, Bagan 5, Vaulks 5 (Doyle 69; 5), King 5 (Colwill 69; 7), Pack 5, Harris 6 (Hugill 58; 5), Collins 5 (Davies 58; 5).

What’s Liverpool’s next fixture?

The Reds return to action in the Premier League when they welcome Leicester City to Anfield on Thursday (19.45).