Gerrard on target as Reds romp in Cup

Steven Gerrard helped Kenny Dalglish celebrate his first anniversary back in charge of Liverpool with a 5-1 FA Cup win over Oldham at Anfield.

Gerrard, starting for the first time since October, netted from the penalty spot after Oldham, who play in the third-tier, had threatened a shock. Robbie Simpson stunned the Premier League hosts by firing Oldham into the lead from 25-yards before Craig Bellamy equalised.

Gerrard made it 2-1 before teenager Jonjo Shelvey's first senior goal for Liverpool sealed Dalglish his 25th win in 48 games in all competitions since taking over for a second time last January. Substitutes Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing also found the net in the closing stages to give the scoreline an emphatic look.

Liverpool, who have a two-legged League Cup semi-final against Manchester City to also look forward to, now advance to Sunday's fourth round draw. This was Liverpool's first domestic cup tie at Anfield since they were embarrassed by lowly Northampton in the League Cup last season.

They have not secured major silverware since their 2006 FA Cup triumph, the seventh-time they have won the competition yet they had only advanced past the third round only twice in five attempts since. Liverpool have succumbed to second-tier clubs Barnsley and Reading in recent seasons while 12 months ago, in Dalglish's first game back, they lost 1-0 to Manchester United after Gerrard was sent off at Old Trafford.

Gerrard, with his ankle problems behind him, was leading the team out for the first time in three months as Dalglish made eight changes to the side which crashed 3-0 away to leaders Manchester City in the league on Tuesday.

With Liverpool back at City next Wedneday in the League Cup, Uruguay defender Sebastian Coates partnered long-serving Jamie Carragher in the centre of defence as Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel were rested. Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio also made his first outing of the campaign and Liverpool's rusty defenders found the going tough as Oldham, cheered on by 6,200 travelling fans, made the better start.

Shefki Kuqi, Oldham's highest-profile player, found himself clean through in the 10th minute after getting the better of Coates and Carragher, but the former Blackburn and Newcastle striker could only fire into the side netting. It should have served as a wake-up call, but four minutes later Tom Adeyemi, unmarked and eight-yards from goal, headed another great chance wide.

Apart from a couple of attempts from Dirk Kuyt and Bellamy, Liverpool's fringe players were subdued and it was no surprise when the team 52 places below their Premier League opponents stunned Anfield by taking a 28th minute lead. Simpson beat Pepe Reina with a dipping half-volley from 25 yards.

But their lead lasted no more than two minutes after Dalglish's team equalised following a touch of fortune. Shelvey's tame effort was heading straight to keeper Alex Cisak when it struck Bellamy in the chest and deflected into the corner.

Finally, Liverpool awoke from their slumber. Maxi Rodriguez was denied by a fine Cisak save in the 34th minute before the hosts took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Adeyemi gifted Liverpool a penalty for pushing Rodriguez.

Up stepped Gerrard to tuck home his third goal of the campaign before Adeyemi went agonisingly close to equalising for the impressive visitors. But 19-year-old Shelvey finally put the tie out of Oldham's reach after connecting with Bellamy's low cross in the 68th minute - his first goal for the club.

Carroll, who has been criticised for his lack of goals, scored in the final minute, a fine first-time shot from just outside the area before Downing, another substitute, made it 5-1 in stoppage time from close range.

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Mancini laments loss, Gerrard eyes City test

Roberto Mancini has warned his Manchester City side they need to understand there is more to football than attack after being caught out in a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. The Premier League leaders dominated possession but, as they piled forward in search of a winner, the Black Cats broke and snatched victory through Ji Dong Won's last-gasp goal.

City's loss was compounded by the knowledge that a win at the Stadium of Light would have put them three points clear of Manchester United, who were surprisingly beaten 3-2 at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. City face sixth-placed Liverpool, fresh from a 3-1 win over Newcastle United, at Eastlands tomorrow, and Mancini doesn't want them to make the same mistake twice in a row.

"I know football and for this reason, in the last 15 minutes I almost lost my voice shouting at the defence to hold their line and concentrate because of the danger Sunderland posed on the break," the Italian said. "We seemed to want to attack with ten players, and to do that is impossible.

"I don't know how many chances we had, but I'm not worried about not scoring in the last couple of games (City were held to a goalless draw by West Bromwich Albion in their previous outing on Boxing Day), but what I'm worried about is having players on the pitch who understand the situation when we're vulnerable to a counter-attack.

"We need to improve in this situation. We had chances to score but sometimes when you can't win a game, you make sure you don't lose it."

Mancini, who rested striker Mario Balotelli against Sunderland, added: "I hope it won't be difficult to pick the players up for the Liverpool game. This game is finished and we move on to the next game."

Sunderland have lost just one of their opening five matches under new manager Martin O'Neill, who was appointed after the sacking of Steve Bruce last month, and their win over City took them six points clear of the relegation zone.

"For us to win the game is extraordinary," said the former Celtic and Aston Villa manager. "City were camped outside our penalty area for the last 20 minutes, so for us to get players up in support when we broke was unbelievable. I feel for City now, even with their squad. They play Liverpool, who have had a day-and-a-half extra to rest up."

Gerrard relishing Etihad examination
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is in line for his first league start since 22 October. It follows the England international's impressive performance against Newcastle on Friday. Gerrard, who has missed a large part of the season due to an ankle infection, scored after coming off the bench to seal a 3-1 win.

The influential midfielder is relishing the opportunity of facing City in what is the first of three games against them in January, with a two-legged League Cup semi-final also on the horizon.

"Bring it on," said Gerrard. "They are a fantastic team who have started the season really well, but we've got nothing to fear. These are exciting games, we don't fear these. These are the games that, as a player, you want to play in. I can't wait."

Liverpool's form away from Anfield has been impressive this season, with Kenny Dalglish's side winning at Chelsea twice, as well as at Arsenal and Everton.

Gerrard said: "It's at home that we haven't got the results our football has deserved, but we will go to City full of confidence. We will give it our best shot and see where it takes us."

"For me personally, 2011 has been an absolute nightmare, but for the team it was great to finish it on a high. Now we need to push on, keep building and putting up a good fight for the top four."

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