The FA Cup
LiverpoolLiverpool2OldhamOldham Athletic0

Liverpool 2-0 Oldham Athletic

By Mandeep SangheraBBC Sport
Iago Aspas

Iago Aspas scored his first Liverpool goal as the Reds overcame a stubborn Oldham in their FA Cup third round tie.

The home side struggled until Aspas hooked in a shot from Raheem Sterling's cross before the Spaniard also hit the post with a header.

Oldham went close when Micheal Petrasso produced a skilful turn but saw his shot smartly saved by Brad Jones.

But Liverpool sealed the win with an own goal after Sterling's shot went in off James Tarkowski.

The Anfield side were forced to play the final nine minutes with 10 men after losing Daniel Agger to an injury after already making all three substitutions.

However, the Reds saw out the game to book a fourth round tie with either Bournemouth or Burton and avenge last season's FA Cup defeat by Oldham.

The Latics are battling to avoid relegation from League One but they made Liverpool, who sit fourth in the Premier League, work hard for their win.

Oldham skipper Korey Smith was booked in the first minute for a crunching tackle on opposing number Steven Gerrard and his challenge set the tone for a determined display from his side.

Liverpool lacked urgency in the first half and struggled to find any fluency to their passing.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers reacted by bringing on Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Leiva for Luis Alberto and Victor Moses at the break - and the move had the desired effect as the home side started to exert more pressure, with Gerrard heading a Coutinho corner just high.

They broke the deadlock when Sterling dinked in a cross which bounced to around hip high and Aspas steered in a shot.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hugs his son Anton, who came on as a substitute for Oldham
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hugs his son Anton, who came on as a substitute for Oldham

The striker almost added a second shortly afterwards when he headed another Sterling cross against the woodwork.

The visitors gathered themselves and Danny Philliskirk sent a strike narrowly high before the striker thought he might have had a penalty after being pushed.

Petrasso then left Agger and Kolo Toure trailing before having a well-struck shot from the edge of the box saved by Jones.

Oldham's efforts to get an equaliser left them vulnerable at the back and they paid the price when Liverpool gave themselves the cushion of a second goal.

Coutinho latched on to an Aspas cross and had a shot blocked but the ball fell to Sterling, whose effort was going well wide before deflecting in off Tarkowski.

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VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Oldham manager Lee Johnson told BBC Radio Manchester:

"Everybody's an international [at Liverpool] and we're in league one for a reason, but I thought they went out there and showed character and they were bold on the ball, they worked their socks off, they put tackles in and put their bodies on the line and were actually quite unfortunate with the goals.

"The atmosphere was electric and it's great for the group because they're only going to grow from that. We tried, we worked really hard and I think the fans can go home appreciating that although our league position is looking a bit low at the moment, we've got players back fit now and we're hoping for a big 2014.

"Every man can go home, look in the mirror and say 'I really showed what I was about today'."

Line-ups

Liverpool

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Jones
  • 34Kelly
  • 20Cissokho
  • 8GerrardSubstituted forSuárezat 77'minutes
  • 4K Touré
  • 5Agger
  • 31SterlingBooked at 89mins
  • 6Romero AlconchelSubstituted forLeivaat 45'minutes
  • 9Iago Aspas
  • 14Henderson
  • 12MosesSubstituted forCoutinhoat 45'minutes

Substitutes

  • 7Suárez
  • 10Coutinho
  • 21Leiva
  • 22Mignolet
  • 26Ilori
  • 37Skrtel
  • 50Brannagan

Oldham

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Oxley
  • 5KusungaBooked at 90mins
  • 12MellorSubstituted forRodgersat 84'minutes
  • 8SmithBooked at 1mins
  • 6Tarkowski
  • 3Grounds
  • 9RooneySubstituted forHarkinsat 62'minutes
  • 4Wesolowski
  • 14Clarke-HarrisSubstituted forDaytonat 61'minutesBooked at 90mins
  • 27Philliskirk
  • 20Petrasso

Substitutes

  • 2Brown
  • 15Winchester
  • 17Rodgers
  • 18Lockwood
  • 19Dayton
  • 29Rachubka
  • 30Harkins
Referee:
Stuart Attwell
Attendance:
44,102

Match Stats

Home TeamLiverpoolAway TeamOldham
Possession
Home64%
Away36%
Shots
Home26
Away7
Shots on Target
Home5
Away2
Corners
Home13
Away3
Fouls
Home9
Away7

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Liverpool 2, Oldham Athletic 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Liverpool 2, Oldham Athletic 0.

  3. Post update

    Iago Aspas (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  4. Post update

    Foul by James Dayton (Oldham Athletic).

  5. Post update

    Foul by Raheem Sterling (Liverpool).

  6. Post update

    Gary Harkins (Oldham Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Booking

    James Dayton (Oldham Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  8. Post update

    Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  9. Post update

    Foul by James Dayton (Oldham Athletic).

  10. Post update

    Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Jonathan Grounds.

  11. Booking

    Genséric Kusunga (Oldham Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  12. Post update

    Luis Suárez (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Genséric Kusunga (Oldham Athletic).

  14. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  15. Post update

    Delay in match Martin Kelly (Liverpool) because of an injury.

  16. Booking

    Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for hand ball.

  17. Post update

    Hand ball by Raheem Sterling (Liverpool).

  18. Post update

    Luis Suárez (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  19. Post update

    Foul by James Tarkowski (Oldham Athletic).

  20. Post update

    Attempt missed. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a corner.