It took a bit of doing, but two second half goals from Liverpool were enough to cancel out Crystal Palace striker Frazier Campbell’s well taken opener and send the Reds through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The draw, which takes place tomorrow, could throw up a tricky encounter for the Reds, but match-winner Adam Lallana isn’t worried about who they may meet on the road to Wembley.
“Regardless of who is in it, we feel we have got a good chance. We’ll just prepare for whoever is in our way in the next round and go into the game looking to get the win” said the former Southampton captain when asked about the next round, before reflecting on the win at Selhurst Park. “We knew we were going to have to be patient. We came here a few months ago and were in a completely different place to where we are now. We did well to nullify them to very few chances. We’re delighted we’re in the next round.”
Although Liverpool has seen their season do an about-face since losing 3-1 to Crystal Palace back in November, they looked to be in for another bit of misery in Croydon when Campbell banged in the opener. An onslaught from the Reds would follow, but they’d go into the half-time break skunked before goals from Daniel Sturridge and Lallana put them not only ahead at a ground that’s been less than accomodating for them in recent times, but into the next round of the cup.
“We were still confident at half-time. We created a lot of chances in the first half, we just weren’t ruthless enough. Mario came on for an extra presence up front” said the 26-year old when asked about scoring the eventual winner. “Mario hit it with a technique which is difficult for the keeper to collect. I gambled that he was going to parry it and just put it in so I was delighted.”
