Cup shock as Oldham knock out Reds

Liverpool crashed out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage to lowly League One outfit Oldham Athletic yesterday evening. The humbled Reds returned to Merseyside deservedly defeated after they met Oldham's spirited display with a poor performance of their own. Suarez responded to Smith's early opener with a quick equaliser, but Allen's late strike wasn't enough to compensate for a further Smith goal and Wabara's header, as Rodgers' side became arguably the biggest scalp of a weekend of giant-killings.

Despite Oldham's poor form and the Reds' recent resurgence, prior to kick off there was a feeling that a Cup upset could be on the cards. The home support were further fired up only two minutes in, as the poor defending that became characteristic of Liverpool's display cost them dearly. Coates, who has been linked with a move away from Anfield, was particularly awful throughout the 90 minutes. It was his decision to permit Smith too much space in the box that allowed the tall 23-year old to tower above the Uruguayan and bundle the ball home with a close range header.

Dreamland- Smith gave Oldham the perfect start

The atmosphere was at fever pitch, which was reflected in the fiery confrontation between Brad Jones and Robbie Simpson after the latter tried to take advantage of the former spilling the ball. Although he was booked for unsporting behaviour, Simpson achieved his aim as Jones lacked confidence for the rest of the contest and was culpable for Oldham's second goal on the stroke of half time.

Out of the blue, Luis Suarez (who else?) equalised for the visitors on 17 minutes, converting past former Liverpool keeper Dean Bouzanis- who Rafael Benitez described as "the best goalkeeper in the world for his age" upon signing him as a 16-year old- after inadvertently playing a one-two off an Oldham defender. The skipper for the day then deftly headed Henderson's free kick home but the goal was chalked out for offside. 

On the half hour mark, Sterling's low shot was saved after a flowing counter-attack had culminated in Borini back heeling the ball into his path. Liverpool's attack wasn't the issue, though. The problems the away side were experiencing emanated from an unconventional back four who evidently didn't know either how to play together or deal with the physical approach of Oldham's front line. 

Jose Baxter and Simpson shot wide of target, before Smith's shot was saved as Paul Dickov's men fought valiantly and gave a good account of themselves. Their dominance eventually told in first half stoppage time, as Jones spilt Wabara's cross and Smith tapped home after Croft had cleverly squared the ball to him. As disappointing as falling behind seconds before the interval was, the fact that there wasn't even an immediate response after the restart was doubly disappointing.

Instead of stepping up to the mark and meeting the challenge Oldham posed head on, Liverpool looked lethargic and, crucially, repeated the defensive mistakes that had put them in such a perilous position in the first place. On 47 minutes, Winchester's deep cross found Wabara, who looped a header home at the back post, beating the out of position Robinson and Borini in the air.

Wabara beat Borini and Robinson to the ball and headed home 

Only moments before Borini had wasted a glorious opportunity to equalise, betraying his eminently woeful finishing ability as he somehow missed the target when receiving a low left wing cross from Robinson unmarked in the box. Consequently, it was unsurprising to see him substituted midway through the second period.

The arrival of Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing swung the momentum back in Liverpool's favour, as Oldham retreated to their own 18-yard line and desperately tried to hang on to the two-goal lead they had established. Gerrard should have scored when Sturridge cut the ball back to him, but Baxter made an excellent block and Sturridge blazed the rebound way over the bar. At the other end, Baxter then shot narrowly wide after yet more loose marking from Coates. 

Eleven minutes from time, Allen's deflected effort from the edge of the box found the bottom right hand corner, giving the travelling Kop some hope of a late recovery to earn an arguably undeserved replay that the Reds would be favourites to win. Unfortunately, though, apart from a thumping strike from Steven Gerrard, which smashed against the cross bar, Liverpool failed to break down the sturdy defensive wall constructed by an Oldham side obviously determined to hold on to their lead for dear life and secure an historic victory.

At the end of the day, Oldham appeared to want the win more than Liverpool. This was demonstrated in their disciplined display, which was sharply contrasted to the Reds' sloppy passing and general lack of commitment. As much as Oldham and neutrals enjoy a Cup upset, it is precisely that for Kopites- upsetting. With little left to play for in terms of trophies, Liverpool must concentrate on fighting for a still relatively feasible fourth placed finish.

YNWA