Liverpool 6-1 Brighton. FA Cup.
Brighton score four goals and still only leave Anfield with one goal. The story of the night for Brighton was disaster, but Liverpool pretty much deserved the six goals (three own goals).
Steward Downing started off the pressure in the 4′. The 5′ brought a corner for Liverpool. Apparently Brighton missed the corner against Manchester United after Andy Carroll was heavily marked in the box and Daniel Agger easily headed home while everyone was focused on Carroll. Well, same thing happened here. Brighton focused on Carroll and Martin Skrtel met Steven Gerrard’s corner and finished into the back of the net in a fashion that was very similar to the corner he scored against Aston Villa.
Kazenga LuaLua equalized in the 17′ through a free kick that was drawn by a Jordan Henderson foul. LuaLua drilled a 25 yard kick past the oncoming wall and Pepe Reina to score a remarkable equalizer.
Liverpool took the lead right before half-time off of a corner again. The corner was punched by the Brighton keeper, then Luis Suarez dribbled and created space for a poke, but it was deflected to Glen Johnson’s head and he headed it towards goal. It was cleared off the line, but didn’t make it any farther than Liam Bridcutt who was standing too close to the clearance and was red-faced as he scored an own goal.
In the 57′, Downing got his first assist of the year. Downing sent a low cross into the box and Carroll got on the end of it with his left foot and thundered past the keeper and into the net. That gives Downing one goal and one assist all year, both in the FA Cup.
Bridcutt was left red-faced again in the 71′ as he was just in the wrong position at the wrong time again. Gerrard fashioned a chance for himself that he saw saved, but only across the goal as Bridcutt was in the way to deflect it into his own goal again.
Bridcutt’s two own goals were just bad luck, but the third own goal by Brighton will have the manager pulling his hair out. Lewis Dunk scored a humorous goal trying to control Suarez’s cross. Dunk chested it down, then tried to control it with his knee so he could clear it. He had plenty of time, but his knee was sent the wrong way and the ball bounced into the net. I guess Dunk gets props for almost keeping it out of the net, but it was still a ridiculous own goal.
Dirk Kuyt was subbed on and brought down in the box to give Liverpool a penalty. Suarez took the ensuing penalty, but it was disgracefully shot to the keepers left in a very save-able position.
Suarez redeemed himself though when Jose Enrique’s cross met Carroll who headed it across goal to a wide open Suarez who finished the scoring for Liverpool.
Overall it was a strong performance by Liverpool that warranted six goals, even if three were own goals. Performances all around were strong. Downing put in probably his best shift as a red and Carroll was a game changer every time the ball was in the box. Suarez was a threat at times, but he also lost possession several times.
The midfield was strong, with Gerrard doing really well going forward and Henderson almost scoring off of a Gerrard shot gone array. Charlie Adam was given man of the match by the Guardian and it was extremely warranted. He had a very strong performance also.
The defense was solid and the LuaLua goal was just a great goal. Jamie Carragher came in for Agger who was left out of the squad. Johnson and Enrique made starts on their side and Reina started in net.
My man of the match is probably Carroll despite Downing being an outstanding performer. Carroll’s goal and his play in general was very strong. He is either on good form or starting to look like a good, strong striker. He made a very good argument for his inclusion at Wembley next week.
Liverpool are in action next Sunday at Wembley for the Carling Cup final, their first trip to the new stadium. Again, might not be any midweek posts due to lots of stress with school. Liverpool also play Stoke City at Anfield for the FA Cup quarter final.
You'll Never Walk Alone 