Mansfield 1-2 Liverpool Match Report

Mansfield 1-2 Liverpool Match Report

Liverpool started their quest to reach this season’s FA Cup final at Conference side Mansfield. The David versus Goliath clash highlighted the magic of the FA Cup in which the smaller clubs can get their shot at glory. Liverpool would go into the tie with everything to lose, as a big win would be expected against the lower league club. But Liverpool would know to expect a tough tie as Mansfield would treat the match as their FA Cup final.

The Team

Brendan Rodgers took the opportunity to rest some regular players for the trip to Mansfield, as he mixed youth with experience to his team. Brad Jones started in goal, with Wisdom at right back and Jack Robinson at left back, Jamie Carragher Captained the side in the middle of defence alongside Coates. The midfield was made up with Suso and Downing on the flanks, with Lucas, Allen and Shelvey in the middle, new signing Sturridge started up front to add extra interest for the visiting support.

The Match

Mansfield marked the visit of Liverpool with a tremendous tribute to the 96 victims of Hillsborough by placing a card with each victim’s name on the empty seats separating the two sets of supporters. Liverpool responded to this kind gesture by taking an early lead when Shelvey made a defence splitting pass to new signing Sturridge who made a dream start to his career at Liverpool by clinically finishing off the move to give the visitors the perfect start.

The goal was the perfect tonic for the visitors who settled into their passing game and the Shelvey, Sturridge combination almost worked again but this time goal keeper Marriott thwarted Liverpool’s new striker.

Downing then had a shot brilliantly blocked, before Sturridge shot narrowly wide. Liverpool should have been more goals up at the break and Mansfield came out for the second half like a different team.

Mansfield created a flurry of chances as Carragher and Coates were put under intense pressure, Anthony Howell, Louis Briscoe, Matt Green and Geohaghon all went perilously close to levelling for the hosts, Brad Jones made a handful of good saves, while one shot was blocked and another was hacked off the line as Liverpool struggled to hold onto their slender lead.

Sturridge was withdrawn for Suarez, who looked to put an end to home hopes with a fortuitous finish after being played in by Downing shortly before the hour mark. The Mansfield players appealed that the ball had struck Suarez’s hand in the lead up to the goal, but the goal was given.

Mansfield felt aggrieved as the second Liverpool goal came against the run of play, but they continued to show great spirit and continued to pressure the Liverpool defence.

Mansfield managed to pull a goal back 11 minutes from time when Green volleyed in through a crowd of players after Beevers had diverted a deep cross into his path.

The goal set up a grand stand finish with the home side throwing everything at Liverpool and Jones had to make a good save from Green to prevent a replay as the Premiership side hung on for victory. It was a tremendous effort from the Conference side against one of the country’s top sides, and Liverpool would be relieved to escape Mansfield with the victory after a hard fought win.

Summary

Rodgers changed his team as expected, and his team should have been more than capable of beating Mansfield quite comfortably, but that was far from the case with the hosts very unlucky not to earn a replay for their efforts. Liverpool started the match well and new signing Sturridge got his Liverpool career off to a dream start with a goal in only 7 minutes. But credit to Mansfield who came out for the second half and had a real go at their more illustrious visitors. Liverpool were under all sorts of pressure in the second half and I would have to make Brad Jones as my man of the match, for some great saves and also coming out to dominate his penalty box from Mansfield’s long throws and corners. The euphoria over Suarez’s second goal for Liverpool is ridiculous because the ball struck his hand in the lead up to his goal. Any player would do the same by putting the ball into the net, but because it is Suarez it has been headline news and his goal celebration has been photographed in the newspapers, it is the same goal celebration for every goal he scores. I’ve heard some people say he should have told the referee it hit his hand and should disallow the goal, what nonsense, the referee got it wrong and him and his officials should be in the headlines, not Suarez, and ESPN’s Jon Champion’s commentary after the Suarez goal was a disgrace, claiming Suarez was a cheat, he should be reprimanded for his comments. Overall, a tougher game than Liverpool anticipated, but the most important thing is winning and getting into the next round of the Cup, and for Suarez, well, he’ll just keep sticking the ball in the back of the net, regardless of what others say about him.