FA Cup
27 January, 2013
Oldham Athletic
Dean Bouzanis
13
Jonathan Grounds
3
Jean Yves Mvoto
5
Cliff Byrne
16
Reece Wabara
23
Lee Croft
7
James Wesolowski
4
Youssuf M'Changama
22
Robbie Simpson
10
Mathieu Smith
14
Jose Baxter
20
Substitutes
Carl Winchester
26
David Mellor
29
Daniel Taylor
19
Alex Cisak
0
James Tarkowski
6
Connor Brown
2
Chris Sutherland
28
Liverpool
1
Brad Jones
47
Andre Wisdom
37
Martin Skrtel
16
Sebastián Coates
49
Jack Robinson
14
Jordan Henderson
24
Joe Allen
31
Raheem Sterling
29
Fabio Borini
15
Daniel Sturridge
7
Luis Suárez
Substitutes
8
Steven Gerrard
19
Stewart Downing
33
Jonjo Shelvey
23
Jamie Carragher
21
Lucas Leiva
42
Peter Gulacsi
30
Suso Sáez
Referee: Lee Probert
© 2013 STATS Europe BV. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS Europe BV is strictly prohibited.
League One strugglers Oldham arguably caused the biggest shock of the FA Cup fourth round after knocking out Premier League giants Liverpool 3-2 at Boundary Park. Paul Dickov's side took a shock lead after three minutes as Matt Smith headed home Youssuf M'Changama's cross from the left. The Reds soon equalised as Luis Suarez took advantage of Cliff Byrne's poor clearance to bag his 21st goal of the season. And just as the sides looked to have settled for a draw heading into the dressing rooms at the break, the Latics got a lucky break as Reece Wabara's cross was spilled by Brad Jones, which allowed Lee Croft to pick out Smith to slot home his second goal of the tie. Three minutes into the second period, the hosts went further ahead when Carl Winchester's delivery from the left was headed back across goal and into the far corner by Reece Wabara. Joe Allen pulled one back with a deflected right-foot volley from the edge of the box and substitute Steven Gerrard rattled the crossbar in the dying minutes. However, it wasn't to be as the Latics sent the home fans into delirium at the final whistle.
The Oldham fans can't watch as Liverpool pile everybody forward. Stewart Downing looks for Daniel Sturridge with a superb long ball, but the striker fails to control it in the box.
Liverpool still have time as Daniel Sturridge picks up the ball but sends his left-foot effort well wide of the far post. We've had plenty of drama in this game. Are we in for a rip-roaring finish?
Liverpool come so close to restoring parity as Steven Gerrard's stunning strike comes back off the crossbar with Dean Bouzanis beaten. There will be six added minutes of stoppage time.
The corner finds Joe Allen whose shot takes another deflection and has Dean Bouzanis wrong-footed. Now Jack Robinson decides to have a dig from distance, but it doesn't trouble the Latics' No.1 and Brendan Rodgers shows his disgust with the player from the touchline.
What a finish we've got to this clash with the clock ticking. Liverpool will be desperate to come away with a draw. Stewart Downing loses out, but the ball comes back into the box from Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard's strike deflects out for a corner.
Dan Taylor replaced Robbie Simpson for Oldham before the Liverpool goal to make it 3-2 at Boundary Park and now Matt Smith is being stretchered off with an arm injury. The man who has scored a brace is replaced by David Mellor.
Liverpool are back in this game. They win a corner and the ball into the box flicks up in the air to the edge of the area where Joe Allen hits a lovely right-foot volley which defelcts off Jose Baxter and past Dean Bouzanis. Game on!
JOE ALLEN
Matt Smith could and maybe should have buried Liverpool as he drags his right-foot shot wide of the far post after some ball watching by Sebastian Coates.
Oldham are close to a spot in the fifth round draw as Jonjo Shelvey hits a rasping right-foot effort from 25 yards, but it was always rising.
Robbie Simpson is receiving some medical attention on the field with the rain still pouring down from the stands. The ball is coming back one way now and time is against the visitors. Oldham have everybody behind the ball.
Matt Smith is booked by Lee Probert after dragging back Sebastian Coates. Meanwhile, Jonjo Shelvey does come on for Raheem Sterling, who has failed to make an impact this afternoon.
Steven Gerrard's deep ball to the back post is asking too much of his fellow substitute Stewart Downing. Liverpool are now preparing Jonjo Shelvey to come on to the field with time running out.
Luiz Suarez pulls the ball back for Steven Gerrard, but his goalbound effort is brilliantly blocked by Jose Baxter. Moments later, Dean Bouzanis gets in the way of a Suarez effort from an acute angle.
Brad Jones' ball out of defence drifts off course thanks to the wind and Oldham get the throw. They don't do much with it however, and Liverpool are back on the offensive.
Stewart Downing's cross bounces in the six-yard box before picking up pace and going out on the far side for a goal kick to Oldham. It's one-way traffic now as Steven Gerrard looks to find the run of Daniel Sturridge, but Dean Bouzanis is quickly out.
Steven Gerrard drags the ball onto his left-foot, but his shot is blocked. Seconds later, Luiz Suarez is caught in an offside position. Suddenly with the wind and rain has arrived at Boundary Park which makes for an even more exciting final 30 minutes.
Martin Skrtel twists and turns before his shot is blocked and Luis Suarez looks to pick up the pieces, but can only earn his side a corner. The pressure is mounting on the hosts as the men in red pour forward led by Steven Gerrard.
No great surprises as Brendan Rodgers makes a double change with Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing replacing Fabio Borini and defender Andre Wisdom. Jordan Henderson will now slot in at full-back.
The Reds are rocking as they claim for a penalty with Raheem Sterling going over Carl Winchester's tackle in the box, but Lee Probert walks away and tells the player to get on with the game.
Jose Baxter is through on goal, but goes for the chip above the advancing Brad Jones and fails to get enough of his boot under the ball to lift it over the goalkeeper.
Brendan Rodgers must now be thinking about sending on the big boys because his side are in big trouble aganst the side that are struggling down the bottom of League One. The magic of the Cup is alive and kicking!
It's a dream start for League One Oldham to this second half and they now lead 3-1 against Liverpool. Substitute Carl Winchester sends his left-foot cross to the back post and the on-loan Manchester City youngster climbs above two defenders to head the ball back across goal and past Brad Jones.
REECE WABARA
Jack Robinson is allowed plenty of space down the left and his low ball into the near post finds an unmarked Fabio Borini, but he fails to hit the target. The Italian holds his hands on his head in disbelief at missing that opportunity.
The second half is underway at a three-sided, but very atmospheric Boundary Park. Oldham, who have lost all of their past four games at home, are currently leading last season's FA Cup runners-up and a side who have won six of their last seven ties. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers could not have been too pleased with his team in the dressing room, so let's see if they heed any of his advice.
League One Oldham sensationally lead Premier League opponents Liverpool 2-1 at the break at a bouncing Boundary Park. Paul Dickov's side took a shock lead after three minutes as Matt Smith headed home Youssuf M'Changama's cross from the left. The Reds soon equalised as Luis Suarez took advantage of Cliff Byrne's poor clearance to bag his 21st goal of the season. And just as the sides looked to have settled for a draw heading into the dressing rooms at the break, the Latics got a lucky break as Reece Wabara's cross was spilled by Brad Jones, which allowed Lee Croft to pick out Smith to slot home his second goal of the tie. Looks like we're in for a tasty second half!
There may be trouble ahead for Liverpool as Oldham take the lead for the second time in the match right at the end of the half. Reece Wabara's cross is spilled by Brad Jones allowing Lee Croft to pick out that man Matt Smith again to slot home from close-range at the back post.
MATT SMITH
Daniel Sturridge is caught offside as the striker looked to pass the ball into the back of the net. It was a very poor effort nevertheless. At the other end Matt Smith's header is parried over by Brad Jones as we enter three added minutes of stoppage time.
Jose Baxter shows superb skill in the middle of the park before finding the run of Robbie Simpson and the No.10 wins his side a corner. The ball is initally cleared but Jean Yves Mvoto attempts a very ambitious header from 18 yards from the second phase, but Brad Jones holds on.
Joe Allen comes together with 19-year-old substitute Carl Winchester for an Oldham free-kick. They immediately look for the head of Matt Smith, but he fails to direct the header towards a teammate. Now Fabio Borini gets a smack in the face as Jonathan Grounds' clearance hits him square on.
Solid defending by Martin Skrtel who gets in front of Matt Smith to make the block and clear. However, Oldham win the ball back through Reece Wabara who finds Robbie Simpson and he lets the ball run across his body, but can't direct it towards goal from the edge of the area.
James Wesolowski picks out Jose Baxter who quickly dips onto his right-foot but sends his fierce effort just wide of the far post with Brad Jones looking a worried figure between the sticks.
Luis Suarez steps inside James Wesolowski before looking to bend the ball into the far corner, but he slips just as he looked to pull the trigger from just outside the box.
Slick move from Liverpool this time as Luiz Suarez and Fabio Borini combine for Raheem Sterling, who gets the ball onto his left-foot, but goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis dives to make a smart stop and deny the visitors the lead.
Luiz Suarez is starting to influence proceedings as he lashes his right-foot strike well wide of the target. The men in red are enjoying possession as the skies above darken.
Reece Wabara has now been booked after he come through the back off Luis Suarez. From the free-kick, Jordan Henderson's whipped ball into the box flies into the back of the net, but the flag is up on the far side for offside aganst a number of Liverpool players.
Cliff Byrne and Daniel Sturridge collide in the box and it seemed as if the striker was ready to throw a punch at his opponent.
There were loud appeals from the home crowd as the ball appeared to hit Sebastian Coates' arm but Lee Probert was quick to wave away the protests.
Liverpool restore parity at Boundary Park thanks to Luis Suarez's 21st goal of the season. It was his first real sight of goal in the match too. He ran at defenders before getting a lucky break as Cliff Byrne attempted to win the ball, but it broke back into the Uruguyan's path and he finished expertly from just inside the area.
LUIS SUAREZ
Jose Baxter is the man to watch for Oldham. He's their leading goalscorer with an impressive 11 goals in 25 starts this season. And the home team are playing with a lot of confidence and deserve their early lead given to them by Matt Smith.
A long ball downfield is met by Matt Smith and a poor clearance by Martin Skrtel allows Jose Baxter to get his shot away, but it's wide of the target this time as Brad Jones watches the ball all the way.
Carl Winchester replaces the injured Youssuf M'Changama for Oldham. That's a bit of a blow to Paul Dickov's men who will now miss the experienced midfielder.
Liverpool are rocking as Lee Croft's long-range shot is parried off Brad Jones, which almost allows Robbie Simpson a chance to net a second, but defender Martin Skrtel is annoyed and feels he went into too hard on the Australian goalkeeper as he claimed the rebound. Lee Probert immediately calms the situation down and books Simpson.
Raheem Sterling finds his way into referee Lee Probert's book after a sliding tackle into Comoros Islands international Youssuf M'Changama. The midfielder is now hobbling off the pitch.
Paul Dickov gave his counterpart Brendan Rodgers a big hug before-kick off and his side are off to a dream start at a bouncing Boundary Park now. Youssuf M'Changama is given too much space down the left hand side of the field to direct his cross onto the head of Matt Smith, who climbs above Sebastian Coates to send the ball past Brad Jones and into the back of the net. Sensational start!
MATT SMITH
Down one end of the pitch there is a complete build-up of snow, which just shows what an amazing job the groundstaff have done to make sure this game goes ahead after clearing the pitch of the white stuff. Let's see if Oldham can produce a cup shock just like MK Dons and non-League Luton produced yesterday. The crowd are certainly up for it because the place is buzzing.
The 1990 and 1994 FA Cup semi-finalists - in dark blue - are looking forlorn in League One at present, without a victory since the beginning of December - which unsurprisingly coincided with the last time they managed to keep a clean sheet under Paul Dickov. So how will they get on against this Liverpool side - in all-red - which contains the goal threat of skipper Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge on this sunny but chilly afternoon in front of 10,000 at Boundary Park? We shall find out in the next 90 minutes.
Life-long Liverpool fan James Wesolowski captains Oldham in the absence of fellow midfielder Dean Furman, who is away with South Africa. Former Everton wonderkid Jose Baxter starts up front alongside former Redditch United striker Matt Smith. They will rely on the leadership of French defender Jean Yves Mvoto and Comoros Islands international midfielder Youssuf M'Changama. For Liverpool, striker Luis Suarez will captain the side for the first time today as manager Brendan Rodgers names a strong line-up at Boundary Park that also includes Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Borini and Martin Skrtel. Brad Jones starts as Pepe Reina is still recovering from a thigh injury while Steven Gerrard has been left on the bench.
LIVERPOOL: Jones, Wisdom, Robinson, Coates, Skrtel, Allen, Henderson, Sterling, Borini, Sturridge, Suarez (c). SUBSTITUTES: Gulacsi, Carragher, Shelvey, Lucas, Downing, Gerrard, Suso. OLDHAM: Bouzanis, Wabara, Mvoto, Byrne, Grounds, Croft, Wesolowski, M'Changama, Simpson, Baxter, Smith. SUBSTITUTES: Cisak, Brown, Tarkowski, Taylor, Winchester, Sutherland, Mellor.
Liverpool head into this FA Cup fourth round clash against Oldham at Boundary Park in excellent form, having won four out of their last five matches in all-competitions. The Reds smacked Norwich City for five last weekend and they'll be aiming to continue where they left off against the League One strugglers today. The Latics stunned Championship outfit Nottingham Forest with a 3-2 comeback win earlier this month and were rewarded with another crack at the Reds who fell a goal behind before beating Paul Dickov's men 5-1 in round three last season. The Lancashire club slumped to a seventh defeat in eight league matches at Notts County in midweek, and sit just two spots and four points above the drop zone. However, they'll be hoping that the magic of the cup will bring out the best in the players - some of whom are earning around £150 a week - this afternoon.
Dickov has urged his troops to remain positive about facing their Premier League opponents who sit 56 places above them in the football league pyramid: "I have told the players that there is a shock in every round of the cup and, if there is to be one, let it be us," he said. "All we can hope for is a bit of luck. We need them to be not quite at their best while we play to our maximum potential. We know we are up against it as Liverpool have a fantastic squad of top players who can all play in the Premier League. And irrespective of the team they put out, it will be difficult."
Brendan Rodgers insists his focus is solely on Oldham and negotiating the Reds' passage into the fifth round of the competition. Reports have suggested that this could be a make or break week for the club with a Premier League trip to Arsenal on Wednesday night followed by a showdown with champions Manchester City at the Emirates next Sunday to come. He said: "The history of this great club is based on trophies and we want to continue in that vein."
The Latics stick with an unchanged squad. Life-long Liverpool fan James Wesolowski is set to captain Oldham in the absence of fellow midfielder Dean Furman, who is away with South Africa. Former Everton wonderkid Jose Baxter is also fit to face his boyhood heroes. He is currently the club's top scorer with 11 goals in 25 starts this season. Winger Cristian Montano (thigh) remains the only injury absentee. Pool goalkeeper Jose Reina will sit out the game. The Spaniard has been troubled by a thigh injury but would not have played at Boundary Park anyway as Rodgers opts for deputy Brad Jones in cup ties. He could also have an issue at left-back with Jose Enrique (hamstring) still not fully fit and Glen Johnson (hamstring) also doubtful.
The man in the middle of the action is 40-year-old Lee Probert from South Gloucestershire. He refereed his first FA Cup match on November 17th 2001, taking charge of a first-round tie between Dagenham & Redbridge and Southport. His assistants down the flanks are Steve Child and Stuart Burt while the fourth official on the touchline is Mark Halsey.