Africa-Press – Gambia. Liverpool return to action with the visit of Cardiff to Anfield in the FA Cup fourth round. We’re live to bring you the latest. Today’s blog is run by Dan Clubbe, get involved by Tweeting @thisisanfield, @dan_clubbe & in the comments below.
Teams
Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Keita, Jones; Minamino, Jota, Firmino
Subs: Adrian, Robertson, Matip, Milner, Morton, Thiago, Gordon, Elliott, Diaz
Cardiff: Phillips; Flint, McGuiness, Denham; Ng, Vaulks, King, Pack, Bagan; Harris, Collins
Subs: Smithies, Bacuna, Hugill, Wintle, Doyle, Colwill, Semenyo, Bowen, DaviesStill to come…
With Liverpool safely through to the next round, attention can now turn to Reds further afield as Mohamed Salah prepares to face Sadio Mane in the Africa Cup of Nations!
A big night ahead for this pair  Good luck Sadio and @MoSalah   #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/Tj3mMCSVn7
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 6, 2022
93′
Awards 
No surprise to see 52.7% want to see Diogo Jota crowned Man of the Match!
Another pinpoint finish from the Portuguese ace that takes him to 15 goals for this season
A deserved reward for the man that netted the all-important opening goal

93′
FT Thoughts
Never in doubt, was it? In truth, it took Liverpool 45 minutes to get going but the second half was a marked improvement.
Goals from Diogo Jota, Takumi Minamino and a stunning striker from Harvey Elliott see the Reds progress.
With the likes of Thiago getting important minutes and a debut for Luis Diaz, all in all this was nigh on a perfect afternoon!
Jurgen Klopp’s side will now face Norwich City in the fifth round back at Anfield.
How many trophies can the Reds win?

93′
FT!
Liverpool advance in the FA Cup.

92′
2º Half
Always time for Thiago!
With just seconds remaining Thiago finds time for a nonchalant pass in midfield!

90′
2º Half
Keep ball 
Liverpool are seeing through the final stages of the game by keeping the ball for themselves.
Three minutes added time to play!
89′
2º Half
Imperious
Virgil van Dijk has been superb today. Yet more top-level defending from the Dutchman denies Cardiff another sniff at goal.
Who is your MOTM?
Diogo Jota
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Takumi Minamino
Virgil van Dijk
86′
2º Half
This x 100
What a special moment that is. He has some career ahead of him
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) February 6, 2022
85′
2º Half
Sloppy!
Ibrahima Konate gifts the ball to Cardiff in a dangerous area but Liverpool survive.
In more beautiful news…

84′
2º Half
Diaz is up!
Again…

83′
2º Half
Just look what it means

83′
2º Half
Diaz is down!
Luis Diaz is down and in need of treatment. Defender stands on his knee on the way down to the ground
82′
2º Half
A wake up call?
James Milner loses a 50/50 in midfield in the build-up to the goal and the Welsh teenager slotted home coolly in front of a packed Annie Road filled with Cardiff fans. Liverpool need to guard against complacency for the final 10 minutes…

79′
2º Half
Goal.
Cardiff score through Rubin Colwill.
A joyous moment for the visitors and their supporters
78′
2º Half
Jordan Henderson
MIDFIELDER
Out
Thiago
MIDFIELDER
In
Liverpool
Now it’s Thiago time
With the game put to bed, on comes serial trophy winner Thiago
78′
2º Half
Oh, Harvey Harvey 
How fitting that Elliott finds the net on his return! The kop hails the 18-year old.
Now just for Luis Diaz to follow suit…

75′
2º Half
Harvey Elliott
FORWARD
GOALLLLLLL
HARVEY ELLIOTT!
What a return for the youngster. I was moments away from telling you how determined he was to score and he does it. A brilliant volleyed finish!
GAME OVER
74′
2º Half
That moment when…

73′
2º Half
Dazzling Diaz
The Colombian has wasted no time in showing what he’s all about. A superb mazy run almost results in a goal as Roberto Firmino sees an effort saved at the back post.
71′
2º Half


71′
2º Half
No ball games allowed…
We currently await a ball as Cardiff supporters don’t want to watch the Reds anymore.
70′
2º Half
Kostas Tsimikas
DEFENDER
Out
Andy Robertson
DEFENDER
In
Liverpool
Double change
Robbo is introduced

70′
2º Half
Takumi Minamino
FORWARD
Out
James Milner
MIDFIELDER
In
Liverpool
Last action
Some way to sign of for Takumi Minamino as the goal is his last action here today
69′
2º Half
A first of many?
Luis Diaz has a first assist for the Reds.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold registered a 10th earlier on
68′
2º Half
Takumi Minamino
FORWARD
GOALLL
GOALLL! Taki strikes.
Luis Diaz capitalises on some cautious defending and the Japanese forward arrives to fire home!
Game over?
65′
2º Half
Firmino in the 10?
It would appear Roberto Firmino has gone into the number 10 role as Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino spearhead the attack.
We may see more of this formation moving forwards…
63′
2º Half
Harvey Elliott
FORWARD
Making up for lost time
Harvey Elliott has a happy habit of making opposition defenders look rather foolish. This has been a superb cameo after a lengthy layoff.
4 hours ago
Who scores next?
Diogo Jota
Roberto Firmino
Luis Diaz
Harvey Elliott
60′
2º Half
Congratulations 
Well done to the 62.7% of you who correctly predicted Diogo Jota would open the scoring!

59′
2º Half
Straight into the action
There is a new buzz in the stadium as Harvey Elliott gets involved immediately.
What a 30 minutes we have now!
57′
2º Half
Keita
MIDFIELDER
Out
Harvey Elliott
FORWARD
In
Liverpool
What a sight
Harvey Elliott comes on for Naby Keita
Luis Diaz for Curtis Jones
HUGE cheer for both

55′
2º Half
Magnificent
It truly is a sublime goal as a pinpoint Trent Alexander-Arnold delivery finds Diogo Jota who expertly guides the ball home.
Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott getting ready…

52′
2º Half
Diogo Jota
FORWARD
GOALLLL
Liverpool lead.
What did I say about Diogo Jota?
A beautiful header nestles into the bottom corner.
52′
2º Half
Curtis Jones
MIDFIELDER
Different end same result
Curtis Jones this time finds the Kop

50′
2º Half
We can only hope…
It’s so thoughtful for Liverpool to leave the defining goal for one of Elliott, Thiago or Diaz…that’s what they were doing that half, right? 
— Joanna Durkan (@JoannaDurkan_) February 6, 2022
50′
2º Half
Heavy weather 
As the rain, wind and sun grace Anfield, Liverpool are to making heavy weather of their opponents.
Massive improvement needed here
48′
2º Half
VAR Check complete
Just a yellow for the young ‘keeper.
A moment of madness but catastrophe averted

46′
2º Half
WOW
Caoimhín Kelleher comes flying out and catches Mark Harris.
Free-kick some way out. This could be a problem for the Irish stopper
45′
2º Half
No changes
Unfortunately, Jurgen Klopp wasn’t amongst the voters and decided not to bring Thiago on.
Same teams and we are back underway…
4 hours ago
As it’s 0-0, second half prediction…
Liverpool win
Cardiff win
Extra time
Pens
45′
Scathing…
Keita getting man of the match v Zimbabwe and Gambia still doesn’t make him any good 
— Matthew Jackson (@MattyJJackson) February 6, 2022
45′
Thiago time?
In a surprise change from the earlier consensus, a 44% majority of you want to see the Spaniard introduced for the second half.

45′
Oh, Diogo 
For such a clinical finisher that Diogo Jota chance truly was guilt edge. Liverpool have enjoyed 82% possession in the first 45 and will surely be looking to end this game in normal time.
Roberto Firmino had 35 touches in the half and the Brazilian’s composure could prove pivotal in the second half

45′
A fair assessment?
0-0 #LIVCAR
Probably created enough to be ahead. Lacking a bit of sharpness, though. Not worried in the slightest. We’ll win. There are spaces to be exploited and Cardiff are beginning to tire already. It’s a matter of time.#LFC #FACup https://t.co/Pz6lNxSXh7
— D. Davidson (@BackseatLiverFC) February 6, 2022
4 hours ago
Who should come on at HT?
Harvey Elliott
Thiago
Luis Diaz
Someone else
45′
HT Thoughts…
Well, whilst it wasn’t the worst 45 minutes I’ve endured as a Liverpool fan, it was hardly a joy to behold either.
So often the Reds are lacklustre immediately after a break and this would appear to be another example of exactly that.
Cardiff have been busy and looked to make the game an all-action affair, Jurgen Klopp’s men need to respond in kind in the second 45.
Changes afoot?
45′
HT 
Curtis Jones finishes the goalless half with a bizarre pass to nobody in particular.
Sums it up

45′
1º Half
Jordan Henderson
MIDFIELDER
The skippers turn
This time it’s left for Jordan Henderson to miss the target from distance.
One minute added time
44′
1º Half
As I was saying…
A healthy wait of 43 minutes for the Steven Gerrard song bingo this afternoon.
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) February 6, 2022
43′
1º Half
Oh dear.
Remarkably, the Cardiff fans can be heard singing about Steven Gerrard and Demba Ba
42′
1º Half
Overwhelming!
So far 83% of you think Jurgen Klopp should alter the midfield at the break…

40′
1º Half
Trent Alexander-Arnold
DEFENDER
Groundhog day…
You guessed it.
This time Trent Alexander-Arnold finds the away end with a free-kick from 25 yards…
39′
1º Half
He’s here and he’s perfect

38′
1º Half
Curtis Jones
MIDFIELDER
Missing: Shooting boots
Another strike from distance from Curtis Jones only joins the jubilant Cardiff City fans.

5 hours ago
Where should Klopp change at HT?
Defence
Midfield
Attack
36′
1º Half
Midfield problems?
Recurring theme all season, but need much more from midfield here. All of them offering far too little.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) February 6, 2022
35’
1º Half
Curtis Jones
MIDFIELDER
Close
Just as I lament the lack of rhythm, Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino link up superbly down the right. The ball comes to Curtis Jones on the edge of the area but the Scouser fires over.
That was more like it
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