There was a shock during Liverpool’s 5th round FA Cup tie at Anfield as Championship side Brighton scored 4 goals. Unfortunately for the Seagulls, the shock was that they scored 3 of them past their own keeper.
Liverpool ran out comfortable 6-1 winners at Anfield, advancing to our first quarter-final since winning the competition back in 2006.
Skrtel, Carroll and Suarez were joined on the scoresheet by the unfamiliar names of Bridcutt (2) and Dunk, as Brighton created history by becoming the first team ever to score 3 own-goals in an FA Cup tie.
The home side flew out the traps and an early shot from Downing forced a corner from which Martin Skrtel flicked home with barely 10 minutes played. However, the Reds were to endure a period of uncertainty soon after as a tremendous free-kick was smashed passed Pepe Reina, bringing a Brighton equaliser; Lua-Lua with the 25-yard strike sending the 600+ travelling fans into delirium.
The goal rattled Liverpool into action and the resulting pressure finally brought rewards just before the interval as a shot from Suarez was parried into the path of Johnson who headed towards goal. Panic in Brighton’s backline ensued, resulting in Bridcutt unavoidably deflecting the ball into his own net.
‘It changed the game’ Brighton boss Gus Poyet would later say. Either way, it prompted an onslaught which would end with the Reds having a whopping 28 goal attempts – with over 53% on target.
HT: LIVERPOOL 2 v 1 Brighton
The impetuous was clearly now with the home side and the Kop didn’t have to wait too long to see goal number 3, which came from a combination which has been a disappointing rarity in red; a Downing pullback finished clinically by Andy Carroll.
As the chances for Liverpool grew in frequency, so did the scoreline. Next, Gerrard’s effort was well saved before the skipper’s cross from the resulting rebound, deflected in by the truly unlucky Bridcutt. Brighton’s defenders weren’t finished yet though, as soon after, the comical Dunk tried to impress the Kop by doing a few keep-up with his goal gaping – his miscontrolled ‘skills’ ended with the ball creeping over his own goal-line.
5-1 up and still looking for more, substitute Dirk Kuyt was felled in the box resulting in a penalty. From the sideline Kenny Dalglish signalled his old shirt number to take the spot-kick and Liverpool’s number 7 stepped up. Suarez failed to outfox Brighton’s keeper who saved from the spot, and did well to clear the rebound under pressure. But Suarez was to have the last laugh as he soon nodded home Carroll’s header, to get a deserved goal and hit the visitors for 6.
FT: LIVERPOOL 6 v 1 Brighton
Next up in the cup is Stoke City at home. We’re on the march with Kenny’s army…
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For Carling Cup;
Reina
Kelly, Cara, Skrtel, Enrique
Adam
Johnson, Gerrard, Maxi
Suarez, Bellamy
I think Bellamy will deffo start the game, however Carroll would be highly unlucky not to start in his current form. Seems to be finding his feet (& head!) at last!