08-Jan-2012
The News
LIVERPOOL: Steven Gerrard helped Kenny Dalglish celebrate his first anniversary back in charge of Liverpool with a 5-1 FA Cup win over Oldham at Anfield on Friday.
Gerrard, starting for the first time since October, netted from the penalty spot after Oldham, who play in the third-tier, had threatened a shock.
Robbie Simpson stunned the Premier League hosts by firing Oldham into the lead from 25-yards before Craig Bellamy equalised.
Gerrard made it 2-1 before teenager Jonjo Shelvey’s first senior goal for Liverpool sealed Dalglish his 25th win in 48 games in all competitions since taking over for a second time last January.
Substitutes Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing also found the net in the closing stages to give the scoreline an emphatic look.
Liverpool, who have a two-legged League Cup semifinal against Manchester City to also look forward to, now advance to Sunday’s fourth round draw.
This was Liverpool’s first domestic cup tie at Anfield since they were embarrassed by lowly Northampton in the League Cup last season.
They have not secured major silverware since their 2006 FA Cup triumph, the seventh-time they have won the competition yet they had only advanced past the third round only twice in five attempts since.
Liverpool have succumbed to second-tier clubs Barnsley and Reading in recent seasons while 12 months ago, in Dalglish’s first game back, they lost 1-0 to Manchester United after Gerrard was sent off at Old Trafford. |
