Hard work but Reds march on

Liverpool 2 Oldham 0

The Reds were on the receiving end of an FA Cup giant-killing just under a year ago when the League One Latics knocked them out with a shock 3-2 win at Boundary Park.

But without the inspirational Luis Suarez for all but the final 13 minutes they made a dog’s dinner of securing a fourth-round tie away at either Burton or Bournemouth.

Earlier in the season Brendan Rodgers’ side were given a scare in the League Cup by lower league opposition as Notts County took them to extra time.

Liverpool were not given as much of a fright as they were on that night, but under bright young manager Lee Johnson — a recent visitor to Liverpool’s Melwood training ground under Rodgers’ invitation — they proved stubborn and determined opponents.

There was never much likelihood of an upset, but nor did Liverpool look like they would hand out a repeat of the 5-1 thrashing they gave to Oldham in 2012.

Progress against a team ranked 59 places below in the football pyramid was secured courtesy of Iago Aspas’ first Liverpool goal since his £6.5m move from Celta Vigo last summer and an unfortunate own goal from James Tarkowski.

“We were nowhere need the speed of our game in the first half,” a relieved Rodgers said.

“It was always in the balance and you have to give Oldham credit. They are a very enthusiastic young side and we didn’t create enough against them, though we were better in the second half.

“It was the sort of game where you hope to rest a number of players. But we also wanted to win the game — I didn’t want it going to a replay.”

In the first half the visitors packed bodies in front of the ball in an effort to frustrate Liverpool and that Oldham keeper Mark Oxley only made his first meaningful save — from a long-range Luis Alberto effort — in the 23rd minute was testament to its success.

Liverpool eventually breached Oldham’s determined rearguard nine minutes into the second period and unsurprisingly livewire Raheem Sterling was the creator.

The tricky winger tormented Oldham left-back David Mellor and picked out Aspas who executed a controlled volley at the back post to guide the ball past Oxley.

Aspas has made a limited impact since he moved to Anfield although the Spanish striker looked eager to impress and hit frame of the goal with a flicked header shortly afterwards as the game opened up.

“It was important for Iago’s confidence,” Rodgers added. “He’s been the cover player for a lot of this season.

“It is difficult when you have a world class striker playing week-in and week-out and knocking in the goals, with Daniel Sturridge supporting him so well.

“But it was good for him to get the 90 minutes and score in front of the Kop. That should give him confidence.”

The goal also encouraged Johnson to throw the shackles off his side and Liverpool keeper Brad Jones caused a brief moment of panic when his ham-fisted punch dropped in the box shortly after the hour-mark but the Latics were unable to capitalise.

Gerrard struck the sidenetting before Oldham’s Michael Petrasso spun the Liverpool defence and brought a one-handed save out of Jones with a drive from the edge of the box.

Suarez was introduced with 13 minutes to go although the home side — having used up all their substitutes — went down to 10 men shortly after Daniel Agger limped off.

Any hopes Oldham had of a late bombardment were ended when Aspas stole possession on the right flank and crossed for Sterling who saw his shot take a wicked deflection of Tarkowski which wrong-footed Oxley.

“We weren’t just here to park the bus,” Johnson said. “For 20 minutes we had a go and you wouldn’t have known who the Premier League side was.

“I am proud of my players. They can be happy that they performed well on a world class stage against world-class players.

“It is a complement to our lads that they had to bring on Lucas, Coutinho and then Suarez to get the job done.”

LIVERPOOL (4-1-4-1): Jones 5; Kelly 7, Toure 6, Agger 6, Cissokho 5; Gerrard 7 (Suarez 77; 6); Sterling 8, Henderson 7, Alberto 5 (Lucas 45; 7), Moses 4 (Coutinho 45; 6); Aspas 7.

OLDHAM (4-4-2): Oxley 6; Kusunga 7, Tarkowski 5, Grounds 7, Mellor 5 (Rodgers 84; 6); Rooney 6 (Harkins 60; 7), Wesolowski 7, Smith 8, Petrasso 8; Clarke-Harris 6 (Dayton 60; 6), Philliskirk 6.

Referee: Stuart Attwell.