Liverpool defenders fail their test to exit FA Cup

FA Cup 4th Round
Sunday 27 January 2013 - 4:00 pm
Boundary Park
Oldham3
2Liverpool
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' Sterling
17'Suarez ⚽️
80'Allen ⚽️
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A catalogue of poor defending ensures Liverpool are dumped out of the FA Cup against Oldham Athletic.

Oldham beat Liverpool in the FA Cup 4th Round

The reds fielded a strong three man forward line, Suarez as captain and partnered by both Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini who continues his return from injury.  But they saw too little of the ball early on as the reds struggled in midfield and Sebastian Coates and Jack Robinson, both enjoying rare starts, combined to poor effect to allow Oldham to score two first half goals.

In the third minute of the game Oldham were ahead.  Robinson failed to clear from his left back position, and the ball was sent over to M'Changama on the wing who crossed into the box.  Despite his 6ft 5in height, Sebastian Coates was made to look 5 foot nothing as he was easily outjumped by Matt Smith who headed the first goal of the game.

There were a couple of early yellow cards - one for Raheem Sterling after a poor challenge, and one for Oldham's Simpson who went in late as Brad Jones collected the ball.

Suarez was at the heart of all of Liverpool's decent moves in the half, and he managed to play a one-two off Cliff Byrne in the Oldham defence before dispatching the equaliser.

But just as half time approached Oldham took the lead once more.

The Latics found acres of space on their right wing as Robinson disappeared from view, before the cross came in and Brad Jones fumbled at it allowing Smith the easiest of tap-ins.

Liverpool can consider themselves unlucky that the referee had not blown for a foul seconds earlier on Sturridge.

Straight from the kick off second half and Borini should have made it 2-2 but sent the ball over the bar.

Then Oldham made it 3-1 when Winchester was allowed to cross - Sterling not keeping tight enough when in a good position to stop the cross - and Wabara jumped higher than Robinson to head in.

Brendan Rodgers sent on Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing to try to rescue the game, and they both helped increase Liverpool pressure.

Jonjo Shelvey was also sent on later in the half but the reds could only manage one more goal - when a corner made it's way to Joe Allen - he fired in a shot, that took an early deflection to give the reds a little hope.

To compound his misery Jack Robinson controlled the ball late on and elected to shoot which went well over.  Suarez who was in a good position to score expressed his frustration only to be answered with a four-letter expletive by the Liverpool youngster.

Liverpool's memories of two cup finals last year seem like distant memories as the reds lick their wounds after two miserable domestic cup campaigns.

Next up Arsenal away in the league.

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