FA Cup: Luis Diaz Debuts Liverpool Beat Cardiff City 3-1

Colombian player Luis Diaz on his debut for Liverpool against Cardiff City in the FA Cup, Sunday 6 February 2022. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Luis Diaz bagged an assist on his Liverpool debut as the Reds beat Cardiff City 3-1 in the FA Cup fourth round match at Anfield Stadium, Sunday 6 February 2022. The Colombian national team star marked his debut since joining from Porto last month with came on for Curtis Jones in the 58th minute. About ten minutes into the game, Diaz immediately made a real contribution through his accuracy in capturing possession from Perry Ng in the Cardiff penalty box and ensuring the round skin did not leave the field. Diaz then sent a ball that failed. Diogo Jota received a perfect welcome, but Takumi Minamino grabbed him to score Liverpool's second goal.

The goal doubled Liverpool's lead which was opened by Diogo Jota in the 53rd minute with an accurate header following Trent Alexander-Arnold's free kick. The match also marked the return of Harvey Elliott, who has been sidelined since September with an ankle injury and Thiago Alcantara since mid-December. Elliott marked his comeback by scoring Liverpool's third goal in the 76th minute with a touch of control over Andy Robertson's cross before unleashing a powerful shot that was unstoppable by goalkeeper Dillon Phillips. Cardiff had a late comeback four minutes later when Isaak Davies snatched the ball from the center of the net. In the fifth round later, Liverpool will face Norwich City according to the results of the draw that was made before kick off, thus an FA official website notes.