The Reds progressed to the quarter finals of the FA Cup thanks to a comfortable six one win although the fine scoreline did only come through a good second half.
Three own goals from Brighton played their part in a game which the score probably doesn't reflect their part in the match but once we had a grip of the game it was nice to finally get goals in a game for which we were the better side.
Brighton made the very long trip to Anfield and attacked the Kop in the first half. The Reds partnered Carroll of Suarez up top with Gerrard and Adam in the middle of the pitch.
Prior to kick off the draw had been made for the quarter final so both sides knew a win would result in a home tie against Stoke would follow.
The Reds started the match really well and went straight at Brighton. We won a couple of early corners and they were very wary of the threat of Andy Carroll - to the point of obsession by their right back.
On five minutes that obsession caused them to ignore the run of Skrtel to the near post and he headed home for an early lead. I have to admit that at this point - at home against a lower league side I was thinking this could be a big win from the off even though before the match I thought we'd work hard for a two nil win.
The lead gave us a good cushion and we sat back a little too much at this point affording possession to Brighton. Brighton are a good footballing side but that said they had little in the way of troubling Reina.
On seventeen minutes the possession did give them an equaliser though as they won a free kick twenty odd yards from goal left side. They rolled the ball to LuaLua who struck a great low shot through a rapidly disintegrating wall and past Reina at his corner. A great goal and it sent the visiting fans delirious. IT certainly put the game on an even keel that's for sure and it took us a while to really get going.
The Reds seemed a bit strange after the goal and although we never looked like we were over run or anything we just didn't look free flowing and at times we looked dis-jointed.
On the half hour we did beat the keeper as Suarez jinked his way clear in the box only for Calderon to clear from the line as the keeper was left stood alone.
A few minutes later and Carroll headed over the bar from a great cross and I have to say everyone was waiting for the net to bulge. The away fans were loving his misses or failure to win fouls and alike. They were constantly on his bag for it but this was a warning to them that he can take that and still move on.
Just before half time the Reds took what for me proved a crucial lead through the first of three own goals. Brighton couldn't clear a corner and when the ball finally fell to Johnson he powered a header to goal. It was stopped on the line only for the clearance to hit Bridcutt and fly in. IT may have been cruel but it was the Reds who were looking the team more likely to turn possession in to goals.
Half time came and for me the Reds had to build on the lead, up the pace and put the game to bed and this knowing that Brighton had to come out and force the game. They brought on Noone to their attack but my hope was what happened. The Reds seemed to apply themselves much better in the second half and an increased pace to the game was enough to see off Brighton.
On fifty four minutes the Brighton keeper raced out of his area to prevent Suarez from going through on goal but as Suarez slipped the keeper made a hash of clearing and that allowed Suarez in only for a defender to come across and clear the ball and the ref ignored the claims for a hand ball in clearing the danger. I didn't think it was and haven't seen a replay really since.
It started a period of intense pressure for the Reds. Downing and Henderson tested the keeper before the winger got down the left and picked out Carroll in the box and his finish was top drawer to get in front of his man and wrap his foot around the ball and in to the goal.
The goal settled the tie for me really but the Reds continued to boss the game. We didn't let Brighton settle as much in to the game in the second half and that forced them to make mistakes and were frequently troubled them as a result.
The fourth goal came on seventy one minutes when we bagged a second own goal from Bridcutt. Gerrard broke in to the area and his shot across the goal was deflected in by Bridcutt who became only the second man to score two own goals for the Reds in a single game.
The one consolation Bridcutt could take was that his own goals were unfortunate whereas Dunk scored a great goal on seventy five minutes. A cross from the left beat the keeper but Dunk had time to chest the ball down and as he then played keepy uppy in the area he made a hash of it and put the ball in to the Kop goal before hacking it clear. A comedy own goal that one and a definite collector's item. It's also the first time we've ever had three own goals for us in one single game.\r\na\r\nThe Reds made a triple switch with Maxi, Shelvey and Kuyt all coming on and just a few minutes later Kuyt was hacked down as he shaped to shoot in the box for a stone wall pen. The problem then was that Adam, Kuyt and Suarez all wanted to take it and it was left for Dalglish to signal Suarez to take it. Suarez stepped up and after dithering sent a poor kick in which Brezovan saved and then managed to block the rebound as well. We really are getting a disgrace at penalties.
A few minutes later though Suarez got his goal when Enrique crossed to the back post and Carroll headed across goal the other way for Suarez to head home.
It was now six one and the Reds had well and truly beaten Brighton but just before the final whistle blew one bloke decided it was time to race on to the pitch stark naked. After having his minute of fame he was taken off and no doubt will not get in to a football match again for three years.
Overall though the Reds were through and that's what matters but a really good second half performance is what sealed it for me and we well deserved the place in the last eight.
MotM : Andy Carroll - he's been playing well of late and despite getting hit all over the place at time he keeps going and his finish was great.
Since the match was played LFC statisticians have awarded the fourth goal to Steven Gerrard rather than an own goal since the ball had virtually crossed the line prior to Bridcutt's touch.
