*AFC Wimbledon 1 (Akinfenwa 36) Liverpool 2 (Gerrard 12, 62)
Steven Gerrard began his long goodbye from Liverpool by saving their blushes as his brace saw them navigate a potential FA Cup banana skin with a 2-1 victory at plucky AFC Wimbledon.
It had looked like being a routine outing for Brendan Rodgers’ men when the Reds skipper stooped to head Javi Manquillo’s right-wing cross into the corner on 12 minutes. It came just days after the ex-England star announced his decision to leave Liverpool when his contract expires in the summer and his performance added fuel to the fire for those who feel the Merseysiders should have done more to keep him.
However, far from being relegated to the role of supporting cast in the Gerrard show, the League Two Dons slowly worked their way back into it with Sean Rigg twice going close before Matt Tubbs hooked a great opportunity just wide. The underdogs were rallying and deservedly pulled level when a Simon Mignolet howler led to Barry Fuller hitting the bar from a corner, with boyhood Liverpool fan Adebayo Akinfenwa stabbing in the rebound from close range.
Gerrard then showed his defensive nous when he nodded Adam Barrett’s looping header off the line before the 34-year-old stepped up to curl home a delicious 25-yard free kick to edge the Reds ahead just past the hour.
AFC Wimbledon had been desperate to evoke memories of the 1988 FA Cup final and on another night they could have forced a replay with substitute Adebayo Azeez denied late on by Mignolet, while Gerrard almost snared a treble but saw his low shot hacked off the line. But the result means Gerrard’s dream of a fairytale farewell at Wembley on his 35th birthday remains alive with Bolton awaiting the Reds at Anfield in round four.
KEY MOMENTS
PRE-MATCH – Gerrard starts, no Sterling: After announcing his intention to leave Liverpool in the summer, captain Steven Gerrard starts and makes his 200th cup appearance for the Reds. Rickie Lambert leads the line with Raheem Sterling rested. Tubbs and Akinfenwa forge a dangerous strike partnership for the Dons. Millwall youngster Jake Goodman and Gillingham defender Adam Barrett play in their final matches for the Wombles prior to the conclusion of their respective loan deals.
8′ – AFC WIMBLEDON CHANCE! A long throw down the left is flicked on by Akinfenwa and then Tubbs, freeing Rigg to surge into the area and drag a low attempt wide of the far post.
12′ – GOAL! WIMBLEDON 0-1 LIVERPOOL The Premier League outfit lead and it’s that man Steven Gerrard. Manquillo clips a cross in from the right and the Reds skipper arrives on cue to sneak a low header into the corner.
28′ – GOOD SAVE! Mignolet is forced to tip Rigg’s snapshot over the top after Liverpool had failed to deal with a right-wing corner.
36′ – GOAL! WIMBLEDON 1-1 LIVERPOOL. The League Two side are level! Mignolet flaps at Francomb’s left-wing corner, the ball bounces off the crossbar and Akinfenwa stabs it home from close range.
48′ – OFF THE LINE! Adam Barrett sees his looping header nodded off the line by Gerrard as the Reds struggle with another set piece.
62′ – GOAL! WIMBLEDON 1-2 LIVERPOOL. It’s Gerrard again. The midfielder steps up and curls a superb 25-yard free kick into the corner. Liverpool regain the lead.
85′ – BLOCKED! An old-school Wimbledon free-kick is fired to the far post by the keeper and nodded down. Azeez lets fly but Skrtel gets in the way of his goalbound attempt.
90+2′ – GREAT SAVE! Mignolet denies Azeez with a goal-saving tackle after a series of flick-ons once more caused Liverpool problems.
90+3′ – OFF THE LINE! Gerrard arrives at the far post to try and steer in from a tight angle but sees his low shot booted away. Almost a hat-trick!
KEY STATS
Gerrard becomes the third Liverpool player ever to play 200 Cup games for the club following Jamie Carragher (227) and Ian Callaghan (210).
Liverpool have kept only two clean sheets in their last 17 FA Cup ties.
Liverpool have now scored 250 goals under Brendan Rodgers in all competitions.
Steven Gerrard has scored 2+ goals in consecutive appearances for Liverpool for the first time since July 2005 (vs TNS x2).
TALKING POINT
Should Liverpool and Gerrard perform a U-turn? Frank Lampard is showing Chelsea he still had lots to offer with his superb displays at Manchester City and there’s no denying Gerrard still has bags of quality. The 34-year-old legs may not have the world class impact of the Reds skipper in his pomp, but given his influence and ability to turn a game in big moments, is it plausible to suggest Liverpool could yet make the effort to convince him to stay?
MAN OF THE MATCH.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): Two moments of class decided the game. He’s Liverpool’s top scorer and was the match winner yet again.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Wimbledon: Shea 7, Fuller 8, Kennedy 8, Moore 8, Barrett 8, Goodman 7, Rigg 8, Bulman 7, Francomb 8, Akinfenwa 8, Tubbs 7. Subs: Azeez 7, Sutherland n/a, Pell n/a.
Liverpool: Mignolet 5, Manquillo 6, Sakho 6, Skrtel 5, Can 5, Markovic 6, Lucas 6, Henderson 7, Gerrard 8, Coutinho 7, Lambert 5. Subs: Enrique 5, Balotelli 6, Toure n/a.
