Gerrard back with a bang

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard put more than two months of frustration behind him to score on his first start since October as his side beat Oldham 5-1 in the third round of the FA Cup last night.

After three substitute appearances following recovery from an ankle infection the 31-year-old reclaimed his place in the team and dispatched the penalty as his side despatched their valiant League One opponents.

Oldham threatened a shock when they took the lead through a brilliantly-taken goal from Robbie Simpson, but a freakish deflected equaliser via Craig Bellamy and Gerrard’s penalty put the Reds in control and Jonjo Shelvey’s first goal for the club and late efforts from subs Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing wrapped things up.

Elsewhere, Scotland international Jordan Rhodes continued his amazing scoring feats by netting five times in Huddersfield’s 6-0 drubbing of Wycombe in nPower League One.