Liverpool battled through to the last eight of the FA Cup after coming from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
Reds fans were fearing another upset against what has become their bogey team in recent seasons, and it went to script when Fraizer Campbell put the hosts in front in the first-half.
Brendan Rodgers’ side gathered themselves, though, and looked the more likely team to score ahead of the break, and fit-again Daniel Sturridge finally had the visitors level shortly after the re-start with a neat volley.
The Reds boss called on striker Mario Balotelli at half-time to add attacking potency to his side, and the Italian proved his worth once again by playing a hand in the winning goal.
His powerful free-kick was well saved by Julian Speroni, but the rebound was pounced on by Adam Lallana, whose first-time finish sealed Liverpool’s progression as they held on for the win.
Right from the very start there was a sense there would be goals, as fans witnessed an end-to-end opening at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool mustered the first shots on target but it was Palace who scored the first goal, the ever-dangerous Dwight Gale causing problems for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, whose punched clearance only went as far as Campbell, who took advantage of a defensive mix-up to slot home into an empty net.
The Redmen responded well, controlling possession and forcing the Eagles back with some neat, patient approach play, which concluded with Lallana seeing a snap shot well saved by Speroni, who was on hand again to deny Philippe Coutinho moments later.
Liverpool were really heaping the pressure on Palace at it seemed they had got their break when Sturridge was tripped in the box, though the referee waved away claims for a penalty.
Lazar Markovic was a livewire for the visitors and he was next to go close to the equaliser, beating three defenders in an electric run but lashing his shot over the crossbar from 20 yards.
But Palace had a livewire of their own in Gayle, who was denied by a brilliant save from Mignolet, after the attacker did well to control a bobbling pass to go one-on-one with the Reds goalkeeper.
Palace seemed content to sit back on their lead and hit Liverpool on the counter, and with pacey attacking duo Gayle and Yannick Bolasie it was an effective strategy, and frustration grew for Liverpool as they repeatedly saw their attacking moves break down.
After the break, though, it took little time for Brendan Rodgers’ side to finally find the back of the net, Daniel Sturridge slotting a volley through the legs of Speroni to deservedly level from Jordan Henderson’s ball into the box
The half-time introduction of Balotelli gave the Reds another dimension up front, and – following his game-winning heroics against Tottenham – the Italian was involved again to put his side in front.
The Merseysiders failed to keep the momentum in their favour, however, as Alan Pardew’s Palace began to push on for their second, and the hosts had their own shouts for a spot-kick turned down after the ball pinged up onto the hand of full-back Alberto Moreno in the penalty area, though it would have been a harsh decision against the Spaniard.
Palace’s superiority didn’t last long though, as the Reds managed to close out the win to take a step closer to Wembley.
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