Reds Saunter Into Last Eight

Liverpool went into the game knowing that victory would send us through to a quarter-final match Anfield against Stoke City.  Even without Bellamy and Agger, resting injuries for the Carling Cup Final, Dalglish made a statement of intent, with Carroll and Suarez up top and Stewart Downing starting out of the left and Henderson once again hoping to justify the manager’s trust in a free-wheeling midfield position.

In only the third minute Liverpool took the lead from a Gerrard corner when Skrtel did well to beat off the cover at the near post to glance the ball into the near post top corner. Liverpool continued to get forward with Downing crossing on the run from an incisive through ball by Adam, which caused a state of flux in the Brighton area and a quickly taken Henderson free-kick which Gerrard pulled wide from 20 yards.

Against the run of play Brighton equalised, following a needless free-kick given away by the recovering Henderson.  Lua Lua smashed a powerhouse free-kick which was disappointing from the point of view of the wall disappearing as if the shot was taken by Harry Potter.  While we continued to dominate, Brighton showed they could counter threateningly, with Lua Lua giving Glen Johnson as torrid time.  Suarez suddenly clicked into gear with a mazy run, wrong footing the defence before having a shot cleared off the line and Carroll from a stunning Gerard cross, not for the first time this season, heading over the bar when with goal at his mercy.

Just before the break Liverpool went deservedly ahead from Adam’s corner. Brighton’s punch happy goalkeeper looped the ball up in the air, which was deftly collected by the mercurial Uruguayan, taking two defender out on the way, before his shot blocked by the keeper was headed back towards goal by Johnson and inadvertently knocked in by Bridcutt unable get out of the way of the clearance.

Liverpool celebrate second goal (Image: Daily Telegrapgh)

Liverpool controlled possession at the start of the second-half much they had in the first, with Brighton seemingly deflated from the second goal coming so close to the break.  With Gerrard and Suarez began to link up nicely and Carroll holding the ball up and bringing team mates into play fans are beginning to see positives, especially bearing in mind this was the first time the three had started a match together this season.
 
The three played important roles in the third goal, with Suarez and finding Gerrard, who rolled the ball out to Downing, who driving down the left picked up his head cutting the ball back to Carroll who met the cross with a sweeping flourish coming on to the ball to leave Brezovan stranded and to all intents and purpose ending Brighton’s resolve. With Brighton’s resistance broken, the fourth was not long in coming with Gerrard powering through after mishap in the defence, following Henderson looping cross field ball,  to cut the ball back after having the his shot saved, with the unfortunate Bridcutt scoring second own goal.  The comedy of errors continued with Dunk turning the ball in when under very little pressure for the third own goal following Suarez cross.

Dalglish recognising the importance of getting Suarez back among the scoring ranks signalled for him to take the penalty after Kuyt was brought down from his through ball. He stuttered before, his penalty was easily saved by Brezovan.  It would not be Liverpool not to add too our tally of hitting the word work when Kuyt headed against the bar from close in.

Suarez wait was to be short one, with Liverpool exploding out of defence with a rapier thrust and Enrigue standing up a perfect ball to the far post for Carroll to head back for his strike partner to head in from close range to leave us with the premise of visiting Wembley for the second time in a season.

Kop-Post Man of Match:  Andy Carroll: Another strong assured performance by  the ‘Big Man’. Leading the line well, bringing colleagues into the game and seemingly physically more of a handful than at anytime this season.