Liverpool v Cardiff ratings: Minamino 6, Elliott 8; Phillips 6, Denham 4

Jurgen Klopp's team win 3-1 at Anfield to advance to FA Cup fifth round

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  LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher - 6. The Irishman was bold coming off the line and was lucky only to get a yellow card after rushing out and bringing down Harris in the second half. Was otherwise secure. Reuters

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  Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6. Sent in a splendid free-kick for the opening goal. It was the highlight of a day when his delivery was inconsistent. Getty

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  Ibrahima Konate - 6. The Frenchman was nervous on the ball and came perilously close to giving away a penalty. He improved in the second half. AFP

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  Virgil van Dijk - 6. The Dutchman was rarely troubled but was not at his dominant best. He looked a little rusty after the midwinter break. Getty

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  Kostas Tsimikas - 7. Caused Cardiff problems going forward and produced plenty of dangerous moments. He defended well, too. Getty

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  Jordan Henderson - 6. Did the simple stuff well but was sluggish with his distribution. AP

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  Naby Keita - 6. The Guinean was the best of a pedestrian midfield trio in the first half but his shooting was wayward. Reuters

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  Curtis Jones - 6. The 21-year-old’s passing lacked crispness. He linked up well with Tsimikas but was not as direct as usual. AFP

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  Takumi Minamino - 6. The Japanese found it hard to get into the game but never stopped running. He was rewarded with a goal with his last kick of the game before being replaced by Milner. Getty

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  Roberto Firmino - 5. The Brazilian found himself on the margins too often. His passing got better in the second half when he dropped into midfield but he gave away the ball for Cardiff’s goal. AFP

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  Diogo Jota - 8. The Portuguese opened the scoring with a brilliant header but should have scored in the first half after an exquisite turn in the box. He was a threat throughout. Getty

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  SUBS: Harvey Elliott (On for Keita, 58') - 8. His first game since a serious ankle injury in September and the youngster crowned his comeback with his first senior goal. Getty

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  Luis Diaz (On for Jones, 58') - 7. The Portuguese, who cost £37.5 million from Porto, got a warm welcome. Created the second goal and looked at home at Anfield. AP

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  James Milner (On for Minamino, 69') - 6. The 36-year-old brought balance and authority to the midfield. Reuters

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  Andrew Robertson (Tsimikas, 70') - 7. The Scot was raring to go when he came in. His cross set up the third goal. PA

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  Thiago Alcantara (Henderson, 78') - N/A. The 30-year-old was given a 12-minute cameo. It was a welcome return after injury and illness. AFP

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  CARDIFF RATINGS: Dillon Phillips - 6. Made a good first-half save from Jota and was largely untroubled. Could do little about the opening goal and was let down by his defenders for the other two. AFP

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  Perry Ng - 4. The Scouser made an awful mistake that led to the second goal. The error ruined a promising performance up and down the line. AP

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  Mark McGuinness - 5. Held his own and rebuffed a series of crosses. He slipped before the third goal and his frustration was evident. AP

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  Aden Flint - 4. Strong in the first half but found things more difficult after the break. He could have done better in the defensive meltdown before Minamino’s goal. PA

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  Oliver Denham - 4. Got caught napping by Tsimikas on a couple of occasions and appeared confused by Liverpool’s movement. He struggled in the second half. PA

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  Joel Bagan - 6. Disciplined defensively but was unable to give his team width going forward. He was steady and good on the ball. AFP

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  Will Vaulks - 5. The Welshman was robust in his attempts to break up Liverpool’s attacks. It earned him a booking. AFP

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  Marlon Pack - 5. Mainly concerned with bolstering the defence. He was increasingly over-run as the match went on. Getty

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  Eli King - 4. Workmanlike in the first half but was unable to generate much danger going forward. PA

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  Mark Harris - 6. Held the ball up superbly early and looked to get forward on the counter. On other days he might have been awarded a penalty. Getty

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  James Collins - 5. Gave Konate some awkward moments and shot wide in the first half. PA

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  SUBS: Issac Davies (On for Harris, 58') - 6. The 20-year-old tried to attack at every opportunity and fed Colwill for the goal. AFP

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  Jordan Hugill (On for Collins, 58') - 5. The 29-year-old on loan from Norwich city could not influence the game. Reuters

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  Rubin Colwill (On for King, 69')- 7. The 19-year-old gave Cardiff a cutting edge and took his goal superbly. AFP

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  Tommy Doyle (On for Vaulks, 69') - 6. The 20-year-old, on loan from Manchester City, brought some energy to a flagging midfield. Jai Semenyo - (on for Ng 90+3') 5. A short runout in stoppage time. The experience will do him good. PA

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lauded Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott after the second-half substitutes helped the Reds beat Cardiff City 3-1 in the FA Cup on Sunday and advance to the fifth round.

Following a goalless first half, Diogo Jota opened the scoring with a header before new signing Diaz assisted the second and Elliott put the result beyond doubt with the third on his return from injury.

There were fears Elliott could be out for at least the rest of the season when he suffered a dislocated ankle against Leeds. But he allayed those fears on Sunday.

"Coming on was a great step back but scoring this goal was a proper fairytale," said Klopp. "Harvey was unlucky with the injury but lucky with the whole process afterwards.

"Everything went really well. He did an incredible job, the medical department did an incredible job. He is a fearless boy and a great footballer."

Diaz also survived an injury scare when took a blow to the knee late on.

"We said 'Welcome to England!'" Klopp added. "The goal he set up for Taki was absolutely incredible high press - I love it."

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.