Cardiff gave a heroic performance in the first half of their FA Cup encounter against Liverpool, but it is The Reds who advanced to meet Norwich City
By Kehinde Okeowo
Liverpool booked a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup after seeing off a weakened but spirited Championship League outfit, Cardiff at Anfield.
This will be the second time in seven years The Reds will advance to this stage of the competition despite their huge success in other cup competitions.
The relegation-threatened and much-changed visitors frustrated the hosts and ensured the first half of the clash ended without a goal.
The referee also turned a blind eye to Cardiffs’ spot-kick appeal, when Mark Harris fell under a challenge from Ibrahima Konate in the penalty box.
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Liverpool eventually broke the resolve of the visitors in the second half when Diogo Jota headed in from a free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 53rd minute.
Takumi Minamino made it 2-0 in the 68th minute when new signing Luis Diaz came in from the bench to provide him with the assist for the goal.
The Reds took the game beyond Cardiffs’ reach when Harvey Elliott marked his return from injury with a sumptuous “swivel” and finish, to make it 3-0 to the home side.
Cardiff got a consolation goal in the 80th minute when substitute Rubin Colwill met Isaak Davies’ pass with a powerful low drive to reduce the deficit to 1-3.
Though the goal gave Cardiff’s large and noisy travelling supporters a reason to further raise their voices , it is Liverpool who will host Norwich City in the last 16 of the FA Cup.
