Liverpool new boy and debutant Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring for the Reds in the 7th minute and a debatable Luis Suarez goal handed Liverpool a 2-1 victory over non-league Mansfield in the FA Cup last evening. Matt Green put his name on the score sheet for the home side, Mansfield. Liverpool will face Oldham in an away game, in the next round of the competition and as a result of the loss Mansfield has been eliminated from this competition.
Sturridge was handed his first start by his new boss, Brendan Rodgers after he joined Liverpool from Chelsea earlier in the week. He managed not disappoint as he curled the ball low into the corner of the net after being set up by a Jonjo Shelvey’s through pass.
Sturridge had a very good debut game and was stopped from scoring on various occasion by some intelligent goal keeping by Alan Marriott.
Suarez then put the tie to rest after coming off the bench in place of Sturridge. His goal was highly controversial as he seemed to handle the ball onto his leg and then kick it in. This happened as his initial shot was blocked by goalkeeper Alan Marriot.
Andre Wisdom and Stewart Downing came close getting their names on the score sheet, but were denied by some resilient defending from the Stags’ defenders.
In the second half, an aggressive Mansfield caught Liverpool by surprise. Louis Briscoe from the Stags’ was also denied by Brad Jones, while Matt Green’s close-range kick was deflected onto Joe Allen and then to safety. The Stags continued to press and dominate early in the second half.
Matt Green was ecstatic as he managed to grab a late goal for the hosts. His shot found its way through Brad Jones and Jack Robinson after a deep cross was delivered in by Colin Daniel.
Colin Daniel who came off the bench played an active part in creating the Mansfield’s goal as he dug out a cross from the left putting it into the path of Matt Green, who netted the ball through a congested Liverpool penalty box.
Despite the late surge by the home side it was the Reds that progressed to the next round of the FA Cup.
Sturridge’s debut came to a premature end when he was replaced by Luis Suarez, while Jordan Henderson came on for Suso and Wisdom made way for Robinson. For Mansfield Chris Clement, Louis Bricoe came off making way for Colin Daniel and Matt Rhead.
Lee Beevers was penalized for a clumsy tackle on Daniel Sturridge, while Lucas Levia was reprimanded a minute later for tugging onto Matt Green. John Flanangan and Daniel Struddige also saw yellows waved to them by the referee. On the whole, the game was very much disciplined with no controversies or bad tackles.