Liverpool came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup fifth round, thanks to second half goals from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana.
The turning point in the match proved to be Mario Balotelli’s half time introduction, with Brendan Rodgers opting to pair him alongside Sturridge in attack.
The Italian gave Liverpool more presence in attack and occupied Palace defenders. He won the free-kick and his shot was parried for Lallana for the winning goal.
There was also praise for the performances of Simon Mignolet in goal and Mamadou Sakho in defence.
https://twitter.com/tomEurosport/status/566680446399180800
Brilliant turnaround in the second half. Credit to Brendan for making the changes. Skrtel and Mignolet the standout players. #LFC
— Mark Swain (@I_Am_A_Twit_) February 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/MrBoywunder/status/566681518802997248
‘SoueysTache’ in the forums:
Pretty comfortable in the end this. Showed some real maturity in the last 15 mins, played keep ball really well – something we never did last season. Shows the manager is maturing nicely and bodes well for European campaigns where keeping the ball in away fixtures is key. Last year we’d have been bombing on for the third.
Big performance from Joe Allen today, thought he was class. Mario really coming into it now, he’s slowly adapting his game and it shows. Skrtel was a bit dodgy but, if he can be dodgy and we still win then I’ll take that.
It's a very small sample BUT Liverpool have scored 5 goals in the 94 mins that Sturridge and Balotelli have been on the pitch together
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) February 14, 2015
Good spirit/mentality shown by Liverpool. Had enough quality to get back in to the game. Another referee that I don't want to see again soon
— John Bradley (@jbradleymedia) February 14, 2015
That second half was perfect from #LFC . Incisive with the goals and then completely killed the game. Seemed an easy day's work in the end.
— Tom McMahon (@tomjpmac) February 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/DarraghWard98/status/566681313512792064
Loved seeing the @D_Sturridge dance! Liverpool marches on to the FA Cup quarter final! #LFC #FACup pic.twitter.com/ChkjENA0CH
— Linda Pizzuti Henry (@Linda_Pizzuti) February 14, 2015
‘shankly96’ in the forums:
Good changes from BR, and Balo looks like a different player (I know two sub appearances isn’t enough to judge, but still), Can starting to just play further and further forward even when he was still meant to be in defense, but I like that we need him further up the pitch. Glad Sturridge scored again, when he gets back to full fitness he’ll be brilliant, and I enjoyed Moreno dancing with him :happy:
Rotation needs to happen at some point though, the team is starting to look a bit tired
Thought Joe Allen played well today. Can't think of anyone who didn't, overall.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) February 14, 2015
Big win for LFC. Mignolet, Allen excellent I thought. Balotelli made a difference when he came on.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) February 14, 2015
Mignolet looks ten times the goalkeeper he did three months ago. Confident, he punched and caught everything. Massive improvement.
— Joe Musker (@JoeMusker_) February 14, 2015
Nice professional job that. Special mention to mario, did exactly what we needed him to.
— The Liverpool Way (@theliverpoolway) February 14, 2015
Sakho produced his obligatory calm, back-heel:
https://twitter.com/liverpoolgifs/status/566677327795728386
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