---
title: "Gerrard saves Liverpool yet again"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/match-reviews/gerrard-saves-liverpool-yet-again/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Bobby Vincent"
section: "Liverpool Match Reports"
published: "2015-01-06T11:55:04Z"
modified: "2015-01-06T16:42:05Z"
---

# Gerrard saves Liverpool yet again

Liverpool came out victors in a tough encounter with League Two side, AFC Wimbledon tonight. Two goals from Steven Gerrard was enough for the Reds to progress into the fourth round of the F.A Cup to face Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.

Liverpool have been on the receiving side of an upset in the cup previously and Brendan Rodgers was adamant not to see a repeat in this game. Rodgers named a strong side, with 4 changes from the side that drew with Leicester on Thursday. Martin Skrtel, Javi Manquillo, Lazar Markovic and Rickie Lambert all came in for Kolo Toure, Alberto Moreno, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling.

The game started with Liverpool seeing pretty much all of the ball and Wimbledon producing one or two scares for Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal. However, Liverpool were playing the better football, as you’d expect with their undeniable superior quality. This was evident when, in the 12th minute, Steven Gerrard put his head in a dangerous position to put his beloved Liverpool a goal to the good. Javi Manquillo provided a fantastic cross into the box for the goal.

Liverpool were looking good, and, rather stupidly, I thought it would be a comfortable win for the away side. The possession was all in favour of Liverpool and we were looking more likely to add a second than Wimbledon to level proceedings. Wimbledon, though, were showing Liverpool that this is a cup tie and anything can happen. They were striking fear into a rather fragile Liverpool back-line.

Wimbledon got themselves a corner in the 36th minute and put all of their bigger players in and around Simon Mignolet, exploiting Liverpool’s main weakness, defending set-pieces. The ball was pumped in near Mignolet, however, he didn’t deal with it and Adebayo Akinfenwa latched onto the end of a loose ball after an initial header hit the woodwork. Wimbledon were level and Brendan Rodgers would have been fuming.

Inevitably, the second-half was all Liverpool. The difference in fitness levels were apparent. Liverpool’s far superior.

In the 62nd minute, Philippe Coutinho was fouled just outside the Wimbledon box. Steven Gerrard stood up to take it, I had a feeling he would score. He did. The captain restored Liverpool’s advantage. The free-kick’s position was very similar to the one he scored against Basel in the Champions League.

Liverpool were looking the better for that goal, much to the defence’s relief. There were no real chances for Wimbledon in the second-half, especially after the third goal went in. Liverpool had a few chances on the counter-attack. Rickie Lambert and Lazar Markovic both should have buried their chances. Liverpool, though, in the end, saw the game out and have progressed into the fourth round of England’s most famous and prestigious cup competition.

Steven Gerrard was my man of the match. The skipper, who’s been dominating the news this week, showed why he’s still such a class act. Will Liverpool regret letting their captain leave at the end of the season? Time will tell.