Carroll scores as Liverpool crush Oldham in FA Cup

LONDON (Reuters) – Andy Carroll scored at Anfield for the first time this season to help Liverpool reach the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 5-1 win over League 1 (third division) Oldham Athletic Friday.

England international Carroll, bought for 35 million pounds ($53.93 million) from Newcastle United last January, pounced with injury time approaching to put Liverpool 4-1 up after they had gone behind in the 28th minute.

Robbie Simpson produced an unstoppable strike from 25 metres in the 28th minute but Liverpool quickly drew level when a Jonjo Shelvey shot destined for the goalkeeper’s hands deflected off Craig Bellamy into the corner of the net.

Captain Steven Gerrard, plagued by injuries in 2011, then rifled home a penalty at the end of the first half to give his side a 2-1 lead.

Oldham Athletic's Tom Adeyemi (C) points to the crowd as he is restrained by referee Neil Swarbrick (R) and Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt after a fan shouted abuse at him during their FA Cup soccer match at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England, January 6 - REUTERS/

Bellamy’s pace unsettled Oldham as Liverpool made it 3-1 after 68 minutes, the Welsh winger’s cross after a dashing run dispatched by Shelvey.

Mis-firing striker Carroll then grabbed his third goal of the season after a swivel on the edge of the box and a smart finish.

Stewart Downing made it 5-1 deep into injury time and the game ended on a sour note when Oldham’sTom Adeyemi exchanged words with a spectator and the tearful midfielder needed a consoling word from Gerrard.

The main program of third-round ties will be Saturday but the highlight is holders Manchester City’s home game with Manchester United Sunday (1300 GMT).