Spirited Oldham Embarrass Liverpool

Last year’s beaten finalists are eliminated from the FA Cup by a side no less than 55 places below them, Oldham. Spirited Oldham side who had won none of their last 8 league fixtures embarrassed Liverpool much to the delight of the home supporters as their team won 3-2.
Rodgers started a decent attack but a defensive setup of young players who disappointed big time. Although Oldham produced a determined performance but a lot of help was provided by Liverpool’s horrendous defense.
The home side took the lead early in the game; perhaps Liverpool did not expect such an early surge from Oldham. Nevertheless, a lofted cross found Reds defense sleeping, and Coates woke up too late to react as Smith headed the ball goal-wards. Skrtel was in no position to save the ball from going in the net as he only helped it go in.
Luis Suarez, the captain stepped up to the play and single handedly drove through the opposition’s defense to equalize for the visitors. The goal did not stop Oldham from keeping the pressure on and they regained the lead just before half time.
Once again a defensive error, this time by the goalie Brad Jones cost Liverpool. The Australian was finding it hard handling the ball as he fumbled one earlier in the game as well but Simpson failed to capitalize. Jones provided Simpson another opportunity to make amends and this time he easily slipped the ball to Smith who slotted the ball home to score his second.
Going into the second 45 minutes, Rodgers did not make any change to see whether the starting crop could up their game and make a comeback. Borini did squander a decent opportunity in the first 30 seconds of the half and things only got worse for Liverpool.
In the 48th minute, Winchester’s cross was headed in the net by Wabara. Replays indicate that the defenders were ball watching as Wabara easily got in space to double Oldham’s advantage. Rodgers brought Gerrard and Downing to somehow revive Liverpool but Oldham’s defense made several crucial blocks to deny Reds.
Liverpool did get one goal back thanks to a deflected volley that helped Joe Allen score his first goal for the club. The visitors kept on pressing and piling pressure on the home side but to no avail. Gerrard was at the center of everything and easily the best player on the field even at 32. The captain struck a screamer in the 90th minute only to be denied by the post.
Six injury time minutes were added but Liverpool could not score to somehow take the game to Anfield. Oldham finally beat Liverpool after 20 years to complete the biggest shock of the day. Liverpool have only got themselves to blame as they deservedly go out of the FA Cup.