Adam Lallana was the hero as Liverpool banished their Selhurst Park demons and booked a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers’ men suffered a chastening 3-1 loss in south-east London earlier this season and the hosts suggested a repeat when Fraizer Campbell gave them a 15th-minute lead.
But Liverpool had only lost twice in 21 games across all competitions since that reverse last November and they brushed off a frustrating first half when Daniel Sturridge equalised with a fine volley after 49 minutes.
And Lallana scored decisively when a free-kick from substitute Mario Balotelli shortly before the hour proved too hot for Julian Speroni to handle, ensuring Palace could not muster a repeat of their famous semi-final triumph over the same opponents 25 years ago.
Dwight Gayle came off the bench to score twice in the dramatic 3-3 draw that dealt a decisive blow to Liverpool’s Premier League title bid last season and the recalled forward was instrumental in the game’s opening goal.
Martin Skrtel misjudged a punt forward from Joe Ledley, allowing Gayle to head at the on-rushing Simon Mignolet before Campbell slotted home the rebound.
A brilliant 20th-minute save by Speroni stopped Lallana – in for the cup-tied Jordon Ibe – from bringing Liverpool level when he smashed goalwards at the end of an intricate passing move, while home defender Scott Dann slid to block a drilled Philippe Coutinho effort.
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