Reds recover from Oldham scare to secure 4th round place

Liverpool recovered from an early scare to secure a safe passage through to the fourth round of the FA Cup last night. League One side Oldham Athletic arrived at Anfield as overwhelming underdogs, yet they were on top in the opening stages and their dominance culminated in Robbie Simpson giving them a deserved lead 28 minutes in. Fortunately, Liverpool responded quickly and went in at the break 2-1 ahead thanks to a deflected goal off Craig Bellamy and Gerrard's well-struck penalty. Jonjo Shelvey and Stewart Downing then netted their first goals for the Reds in the second half, while Andy Carroll also bagged a confidence-boosting goal.

As expected, manager Kenny Dalglish made several changes to the side that were comprehensively defeated by Manchester City on Tuesday night, with the entire back four changed and Maxi and Bellamy handed starts on the wings. Meanwhile, club captain Steven Gerrard made his first start since October, as he continues his recovery from injury.

Prior to kick-off the Kop sung Gary Ablett's name during a minute's applause for the former Liverpool and Everton defender who tragically died at the age of 46 on New Year's Day following a 16-month battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

With the match firmly put into perspective, Oldham began the better. After 10 minutes former Ipswich and Newcastle striker Shefki Kuqi stole possession from Coates, navigated past Carra and was through on goal with a great chance to give the visitors an early lead. He hit the side netting to the relief of the Reds. The Latics kept attacking though, as Adeyemi headed a corner inches wide before Taylor danced past Aurelio, exchanged passes with Kuqi and almost fired Oldham in front. The breakthrough eventually arrived shortly before the half hour mark, when Simpson's sweetly struck left footed half volley from 25-yards gave Oldham a shock lead.

Up to that point Liverpool had been lethargic and had failed to establish a foothold in a game they were expected to win with ease. If the match had continued in the manner in which it began, the Merseysiders would have suffered their most humiliating home ground humbling of the season. Thankfully, the old and wise adage that a team is at their most vulnerable straight after scoring proved apt and Oldham's opening goal summoned up a response from the rattled hosts, who quickly equalised when Shelvey's shot was deflected past goalkeeper Cisak by Bellamy. The reply certainly had an element of good fortune to it, but the Reds didn't care. They were just delighted to be back on level terms so swiftly.

Maxi Rodriguez, who has impressed when afforded the opportunity to showcase his talent, was then involved in two goalscoring chances. First, he was thwarted by a fine save from Cisak and Bellamy slipped as he tried to connect with the rebound. Then, after putting Cisak under heavy pressure the keeper's kick hit him and ricocheted into the box, where Bellamy looked to take advantage but could only head into the grateful keeper's arms.

Liverpool were now firmly on top and confirmed their dominance on the stroke of half time, when Gerrard superbly placed a penalty into the top right hand corner of the Anfield Road end net after Maxi had been pushed in the area by Adeyemi.

Following a worrying start to the match, Liverpool had recovered and went in at the interval with the lead and the momentum. With only one goal separating the sides, though, the contest was by no means over.

M'Voto and Bellamy went close at either end in a lively start to the second period, before Cisak produced a superb save on 58 minutes to prevent Kelly from furthering the Reds' lead from Gerrard's left wing corner. Only 10 minutes later Liverpool clinched a third goal and put the outcome of the tie beyond doubt. The highly influential Craig Bellamy, whose impressive displays and record in front of goal have led many fans to argue that he should be handed a more regular place in the starting line-up, pulled the ball back to Shelvey, who struck with ease into the net from close range to bag his first goal for the Reds and continue the good form he returned from Blackpool with.

Dalglish then replaced Aurelio, Bellamy and Kuyt with Flanagan, Downing and Carroll, with all three substitutes playing a part in polishing off our performance with two goals in the closing moments. First, Andy Carroll lashed home his first goal at Anfield from the edge of the box.

Flanagan's strike was then well stopped by Cisak, but the ball fell for Downing, who shot high into the net from close range to finally open his goalscoring account.

The 5-1 scoreline perhaps paints a slightly biased picture of the match. Oldham proved formidable opponents and certainly did themselves and their supporters proud, with their brave attacking start to the match proving fruitful and befitting the FA Cup third round. Liverpool did enough to get through and scored five goals to satisfy the majority of the 44,556 supporters in attendance.

Unfortunately, a moronic minority of those supporters stole the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi broke down in tears towards the end of the match after an idiot in the Kop end hurled racial abuse at the 20-year old Norwich loanee.

The incident is under investigation by the club and Merseyside police, although nobody has been arrested yet. It will inevitably mar Liverpool's usually sterling reputation, particularly in the wake of the Luis Suarez saga.

The unpleasant event spoiled what was an entertaining cup-tie.

YNWA