THE STRAINS of Delilah died in the throats of the massed choir of expectant Stoke followers as superior quality earned Kenny Dalglish’s men another Wembley appearance – and the prospect of an FA Cup semi-final against Everton.
That depends on their Merseyside rivals overcoming Martin O’Neill’s Black Cats at the Stadium of Light in a replay. The Liverpool manager, perhaps a touch mischievously, suggested it was “a difficult hurdle for them [Everton] to go to Sunderland”. But it is a tantalising possibility all the same.
The semi-finals are scheduled for April 14 and 15. Dalglish expects that Liverpool will not be asked to play on the latter date, the 23rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Three weeks ago Liverpool left Wembley after claiming a Carling Cup victory on penalties – and their first trophy for six years - against Championship club Cardiff. A return visit, with the possibility of a cup double, was secured against a typically combative Stoke side with two flashes of sheer class from Luis Suarez, who hobbled off after being caught by Robert Huth, and Stewart Downing.
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The win took the pressure of Dalglish and his side, who lie seventh in the Premier League, 28 points adrift of leaders Manchester United.
Captain Steven Gerrard, who was again at the heart of his team’s best work after his hat-trick against Everton and who, albeit inadvertently, created Downing’s winner, said: “We are frustrated with our league form, but it will be fantastic if we can deliver another cup for our supporters.”
It was a disappointing conclusion to the aspirations of Stoke, last year’s defeated finalists, who were backed by 6,000 travelling fans. Dalglish conceded: “A great deal of credit goes to Stoke because they worked very hard, especially in the first 20-30 minutes. They closed up very quickly and made it difficult for us.
“But we finished the stronger team. And we defended brilliantly. I know we lost a goal from a corner, but I think the goalkeeper’s fouled.”
The Potters refused to be daunted by their hosts and contained them relatively comfortably for much of the first half. It required an inspired finish to break them midway through the first period. A neat one-two with Maxi Rodriguez ended with Suarez whipping an exquisitely-placed drive wide of Thomas Sorensen from the edge of the area.
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Stoke responded swiftly and almost inevitably the man on target was Peter Crouch, returning to the club with whom he won his only winner’s medal, in the 2006 FA Cup.
A cross from Andy Wilkinson forced a corner. A second corner followed – awarded in error, it later transpired from television evidence – and Matthew Etherington’s kick was headed home far too easily by Crouch, who met the ball while Andy Carroll, detailed to mark him, was found wanting. Crouch celebrated in respectfully subdued fashion. The England striker regards his spell at Liverpool as his best period in football.
Pepe Reina protested that he had been impeded by Ryan Shotton as Etherington’s ball travelled across goal, but the only reaction he got from referee Kevin Friend was a booking.
It was the visitors who came closest to scoring next but Jon Walters’ finishing was atrocious.
Approaching half-time, a Gerarrd free kick cleared the bar, but that was as close as Liverpool came to adding to Suarez’s opener in a half containing a number of hefty challenges by both sides.
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Liverpool were far more assertive after the break and the home faithful were rewarded 12 minutes into the half when Downing exchanged a one-two with Gerrard – not that the latter knew too much about it – and swept past Ryan Shawcross before beating Sorensen with an emphatic finish.
How the winger, who was back to his exciting best, enjoyed the moment. The goal was only his second for the club since his £20m move from Aston Villa.
“It’s his first year and sometimes that can be a difficult year to get yourself through,” Dalglish said of Downing. “Stewart’s a really good player, with good turn of pace and a left foot. He’s done us proud. He’s got us into the semi-final with his winning goal.”
Suarez, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly threatened to add a Liverpool third and in the last minutes Stoke substitute Rory Delap introduced his long-throw assault weapon, but to no avail.
Liverpool: Reina, Kelly (Coates 89min), Carragher, Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Maxi (Kuyt 61min), Gerrard, Spearing, Downing, Suarez, Carroll
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Stoke City: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Shotton (Pennant 61min), Whitehead (Delap 74min), Whelan, Etherington (Jerome 72min), Walters, Crouch