Back on Track: Liverpool Hit Brighton for 6 in the FA Cup

Liverpool 6-1 Brighton

Skrtel (5’), LuaLua (17’), Bridcutt (OG 44’, OG 71’), Carroll (57’), Dunk (OG 74’), Suarez (85’)

As if to atone for the depressing nature of last weekend in the life of a Liverpool fan, the football gods that be blessed us with the FA cup match up between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield.

Kenny made several changes to last week’s line up, handing out starts to Jamie Carragher, Charlie Adam, and Andy Carroll. Daniel Agger and Craig Bellamy, meanwhile, weren’t even on the substitute’s roster (perhaps in anticipation of the Carling Cup final next week?).

Dalglish’s shifted starting XI wasted no time, with Andy Carroll looking excellent from the start. Stewart Downing took a shot in the 5^th minute, prompting Brighton keeper Peter Brezovan to tip the ball over the cross bar, leading to a Steven Gerrard corner™. An on-form Carroll (!) was enough to keep Brighton’s defense busy while Martin Skrtel broke away long enough to score.

Liverpool’s form remained impressive, Kazenga LuaLua’s 17^th minute shot into the bottom corner coming as a bit of a surprise.

LuaLua’s goal seemed to be a trigger, though attempts by Carroll, Suarez, and Gerrard were all cleared.

Until the end of the first half. When the own goal fun started.

Brezovan blocked a shot by Suarez, only to have the ball head for Glen Johnson, who headed the ball back towards goal. Sam Vokes attempted to clear, only to have the ball bounce off of Liam Bridcutt and into the goal, putting Liverpool in the lead at the half.

Ten minutes into the second half saw Liverpool attacking again, with Henderson and Downing both denied by Brezovan.

Downing, in the 57^th minute, sent a cross in Carroll’s direction, Carroll’s shot from 10 yards finding the back of the net, practically indefensible. Really, a fit and on-form Andy Carroll? Who’s big enough to slow that down?

Not even 15 minutes later, Liam Bridcutt found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet again. Steven Gerrard’s low cross deflected off Bridcutt and into the goal for the second own goal of the match.

Bridcutt was denied his OG hat-trick when Lewis Dunk attempted to clear a ball by juggling it before kneeing it into his own goal a mere 3 minutes later.

Lest they win the match and score fewer goals than their opponents, Liverpool found another chance as Suarez took a penalty kick in the 81^st minute. And missed. He repented (not everyone can take a Steven Gerrard Penalty Kick™), however, sending Andy Carroll’s nod into the netting in the 85^th minute, giving Liverpool a 6-1 lead.

 Even Jamie Carragher found himself in a jovial mood, going as far as to joke with a- ahem- less-than-clothed pitch invader (who was not the Anfield Cat/Andy Cattoll) during stoppage time.

Liverpool’s strong finish to an odd match secured a spot in the quarter-finals and left supporters with a glimmer of silverware in their line of vision. Kenny’s men are back in action next week against Cardiff, looking to end a drought in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.

Next Match:
Liverpool v Cardiff City. Carling Cup Final. February 26^th. 11:00 EST.
Written by Yasmien Mizyed