Elliott scores on return as Liverpool beat Cardiff

Harvey Elliott marked his return from injury with his first Liverpool goal as Jurgen Klopp's side beat Cardiff 3-1 at Anfield to set up a FA Cup fifth-round tie against Norwich.

Elliott, who had not featured at all since dislocating his ankle during a Premier League meeting with Leeds in September, controlled an Andrew Robertson cross and fired a clinical finish into the corner (76) after coming off the bench in the second half.

Earlier, Diogo Jota had put the hosts in front with a superb header from Trent Alexander-Arnold's free-kick (53), before Takumi Minamino doubled Liverpool's advantage from a cut-back by new signing Luis Diaz (68), the substitute marking his debut with an assist.

Cardiff did give their fans something to cheer after that, with teenage substitute Rubin Colwill firing past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher after exchanging passes with Isaak Davies, but the Championship side were well beaten in the end as Liverpool advanced to the fifth round for only the second time under Klopp.

It might have been a different story had the visitors been able to build on a resilient first-half performance during which they frustrated a Liverpool side still missing Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Jota would eventually take his tally for the season to 15 goals, but he missed a gilt-edged chance inside the first few minutes when he shot too close to Cardiff goalkeeper Dillon Phillips after creating space for himself with a brilliant turn.

It set the tone for a wasteful first-half showing, with Curtis Jones, Roberto Firmino and Naby Keita also spurning opportunities as Liverpool reached the halfway point having had 10 shots but only one on target.

Cardiff saw little of the ball but did