'He didn't have to': Accrington manager says Arne Slot did something unexpectedly brilliant after today's game
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Liverpool avoided an FA Cup giant-killing on Saturday as they breezed to a 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley.
League Two Accrington were always going to be huge underdogs heading into a game against the Premier League leaders at Anfield.
In the end, John Doolan’s side gave a good account of themselves and held out for the opening half hour.
But once Diogo Jota put Liverpool into the lead, there was no looking back for the Reds.
Further goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jayden Danns and a special first Liverpool strike for Federico Chiesa sent the Reds into the FA Cup fourth round.
Accrington boss John Doolan had been excited before the game. The Scouser is a former Liverpool youth coach and was looking forward to his return to Anfield. And speaking following his team’s defeat, Doolan couldn’t talk highly enough of Arne Slot.
Arne Slot earns John Doolan praise
Doolan coached Alexander-Arnold during his time in the Liverpool academy. So, it was perhaps fitting that it was the Scouser who got what was arguably the game’s most important goal.
Coming just before half-time, Trent’s screamer pretty much killed any hope Accrington harboured of coming back into it.
Despite the eventual heavy loss, though, Doolan still enjoyed the day and took time after the match to praise both Alexander-Arnold and – especially – Slot.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Arne, a world-class manager, world-class team,” he said via journalist Paul Gorst.
“He invited me in for a drink and he didn’t have to.”
“I coached Trent, not sure he remembers,” Doolan added. “So I walked across and he came over saying he remembers. Such a wonderful, humble guy. A top player.”
Slot passes first FA Cup test
There have been times in the recent past where Liverpool have been troubled in cup competitions by lower league opposition.
However, that was not the case on Saturday, as the Reds eased into the next round.
For Slot, it was a case of his first ever FA Cup audition being passed with flying colours. Just like everything else he has done this season, it came off brilliantly.
Interestingly, the Liverpool head coach had admitted before the game that he had never faced a lower league team during his career as a manager.
Both with his actions on the pitch – and certainly those off it – Slot looked as though he’d been doing it all his life.
