Liverpool vs. Oldham Athletic: Biggest Winners and Losers of Reds' FA Cup Win

Liverpool sealed their passage through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after an eventually comfortable 5-1 victory over Oldham at Anfield after originally falling behind to a stunning strike, but aside from the team's win there were plenty of winners and losers on the night for those in Red.

Here we take a look at who got a thumbs up for the night, and who might not quite be enjoying the evening following the full-time whistle.

Oldham scored the first goal of the night with a real top-drawer strike from Robbie Simpson, but their lead lasted little more than 60 seconds as Jonjo Shelvey's strike was deflected in by Craig Bellamy.

Steven Gerrard put the Reds ahead for the first time just before halftime with a well-struck penalty.

Liverpool took control in the second half and cruised to victory courtesy of goals from Jonjo Shelvey and, later on, substitutes Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing.

WINNER: Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy claimed Liverpool's equalising goal against Oldham Athletic after a Jonjo Shelvey effort struck his upper body and flew into the bottom corner—but that was the only good thing about Bellamy's performance which was not entirely intentional.

After sparking from time to time in the first half, alternating between a central role and one on the right flank, the Welshman really came to life in the second half as Oldham chased the game and he was afforded acres of space time and time again down the right channel.

A series of crosses looked to have given his team-mates great opportunities to increase the lead, though only Shelvey himself eventually put one of those crosses away.

A great work-out again for Bellamy who proves his worth to the side with each passing game.

LOSER: Sebastian Coates

Not for the first time in a Red shirt since his summer transfer, Sebastian Coates had an absolute 'mare for Liverpool against Oldham.

From early on when he was outmuscled and outpaced by Shefki Kuqi of all people, Coates never really recovered and was constantly found wanting with his decision making and general rearguard actions.

He failed to close people down properly, did not make telling tackles when he did, was woeful in the air and utterly failed to dominate any Oldham attacker.

Big things are expected of the Uruguayan centre-back and undoubtedly it can be difficult coming into the team for what was just his fifth Reds appearance to date, but a huge improvement is needed over the coming months if he is to prove himself as a contender for a Premier League place in the team.

WINNER: Steven Gerrard

A 90 minute run-out for the first time since Oct. 22, a third goal in nine games this season and as perfect a penalty as you are likely to see this season—this was a good game for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Alternating with Jonjo Shelvey in breaking forward from midfield as often as possible to support the attack, Gerrard's superior technique on the ball—over both sets of players—was clear to see and as the spaces between midfield and defence for the away side got bigger in the second half, so did Gerrard's influence on the game.

It will be interesting now to see if Gerrard can make his second consecutive start when the Reds take on Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final first leg, but for now at least getting a whole game under his belt will stand him in good stead as he continues his return to fitness.

LOSER: Charlie Adam

A bit odd, perhaps, that a non-playing substitute could be named as a loser from the match—but Charlie Adam has been replaced in the last two matches by Steven Gerrard and, with his own form hitting a rough patch recently, Adam will be fearing for his until-now regular starting berth in the Liverpool team.

Jonjo Shelvey, another contender for the midfield berth, also produced a solid showing for the most part while Jay Spearing continued in the defensive midfield role for the Reds.

The team is more important than any individual, of course, but Adam will be warily keeping an eye on the team-sheet for the forthcoming fixture against Manchester City to see if he is restored to the side and given another chance to shine.

WINNER: Andy Carroll

There may have been a few raised eyebrows when Liverpool's team was announced and there was no place in the starting 11 for Andy Carroll.

Desperate for a few goals and a lot of match sharpness, a fixture against lower-league opposition might have been seen as the perfect chance for Carroll to get back some confidence and bang in a few goals.

In the end he had to wait until the 87th minute to make his appearance—but that was enough in the end for the big Geordie to smack in his fourth of the campaign from outside the box, and he should even have had another in injury time when he headed over from close range.

Not exactly much time in this match to get any fitness or sharpness, but more importantly perhaps than either of those things, Carroll got a goal.

Having barely played against Oldham he will surely be starting against Manchester City in the League Cup semi final—he, and his manager Kenny Dalglish, will be hoping that he is similarly clinical with his first chance against the Citizens next week.

LOSER: Dirk Kuyt

Poor old Dirk Kuyt just cannot buy a goal at the moment.

Against Oldham in the FA Cup third round match the Liverpool forward worked hard, showed a better touch and appreciation of his team-mates and got himself into better positions than in his last few appearances, but still he could not find the back of the net.

In the previous match against Manchester City he was denied by a goal-line block from Vincent Kompany, while in the Oldham tie he was denied by a similar challenge from Zander Diamond.

Another drilled effort deep into the second half flew just wide of the near post, and Kuyt's frustration was beginning to show.

To compound his annoyance, his replacement Andy Carroll came on with three minutes of the match remaining—and managed to score.

WINNER: Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool FC

After not having scored more than twice in a match at Anfield since late August, Liverpool have now scored eight times in their last two home matches, having seen off Oldham in the FA Cup 5-1 following the Premier League win over Newcastle United, by 3-1.

Kenny Dalglish has repeatedly stated that the goals tally of his team, and due to that in some respects the points tally, has not always shown the true nature of the performances that his side were putting in.

Against Oldham it was perhaps the reverse; the performance wasn't top notch, certainly not in the first half anyway, but the Reds rattled in five goals as they finally showed their ruthless streak.

Added to the fact of the five goals was that three of the scorers were netting somewhat overdue strikes; Jonjo Shelvey scored his first for the club, Andy Carroll got his first in two and half months and Stewart Downing followed Shelvey in breaking his duck in Red.

Here's hoping for more of the same from the Reds in their forthcoming fixtures.

LOSER: The Fans, or Perhaps Just One?

The one blot on Liverpool's second-half copybook against Oldham in the FA Cup was a moment late on in the game when the Latic's defender Tom Adeyemi became angered and then upset after some kind of altercation with a fan in the Kop end.

Adeyemi could be seen gesticulating and shouting at a fan, possibly one of a group wearing T-shirts in support of Luis Suarez, before having to be restrained by the referee, a team-mate and Liverpool's own Dirk Kuyt.

The Oldham player was visibly upset and took a few moments to regain his composure, before being booked moments later for a late challenge on Liverpool substitute Jon Flanagan.

Given the recent events between Liverpool and the FA, it must be hoped that the incident was not of an overly-unsavoury nature, though the full extent of it is yet to be determined.