Liverpool began their quest to go one better in the FA Cup this season with a trip to Conference Premier side Mansfield Town in this afternoon's third-round tie.
Brendan Rodgers handed Daniel Sturridge a debut and the striker was on target after just seven minutes with a cool finish. The hosts rallied but fell further behind when Luis Suarez appeared to control with his hand before scoring from close range.
Mansfield kept fighting and gave the visitors a fright in the closing stages when Matthew Green buried a late consolation. The Reds held on during a frantic finale to book a fourth-round tie at Oldham Athletic.
Read how an eventful match unfolded with Sports Mole's live text commentary below.
Good afternoon cup fans, an action-packed weekend of FA Cup action continues at Field Mill in just under an hour's time. Stick with Sports Mole for live updates as Liverpool begin their road to Wembley at Mansfield Town.
Team news and talk of cup romance and giant killings to follow shortly on what promises to be an intriguing encounter at the non-league side.
We will also keep a close eye on the draw for the fourth round, which is due 15 minutes before our featured game gets underway.
Today's cup action has seen the goals flying in throughout the final few minutes. Arsenal turned around a Michu opener to lead 2-1, but Danny Graham has just smashed home an equaliser with four minutes left. Follow the closing stages by clicking here.
Back to our 4pm kickoff and team news makes for interesting reading. Let's bring you the starting XIs.
Liverpool Starting XI: Jones, Wisdom, Robinson, Carragher, Coates, Lucas, Allen, Shelvey, Suso, Downing, Sturridge.
Mansfield Town Starting XI: Marriott, Thompson, Geohaghon, Dempster, Beevers, Clements, Murray, Howell, Briscoe, Green, Meikle
The standout name in either lineup is the inclusion of Daniel Sturridge, who as is expected makes his Reds debut and gets an instant chance to impress his new supporters in the FA Cup.
Jamie Carragher gets a rate start for the Reds and leads a youthful backline, while Lucas continues his quest for full fitness with a valuable chance to play from the outset.
Update The full-time whistle has blown at the Liberty Stadium and after a thrilling finale Swansea City and Arsenal will need a replay following a frantic 2-2 draw.
Eagle-eyed Liverpool fans will have noticed that Steven Gerrard does not feature in the 18-man squad this afternoon as Rodgers opts to rest his skipper this weekend.
Mansfield manager Paul Cox got married on Friday and will be hoping to make it the most memorable weekend of his life with a giant killing this afternoon. Nice of Mrs. Cox to play second fiddle to the big third-round tie too.
While trying to avoid rattling off the cliches of romance and magic of the cup, ties like this afternoon still provide the lifeblood of a competition battling to stay relevant in the modern era. Try telling Mansfield fans that the Cup isn't what it used to be!
The fourth-round draw is about to get underway and I will keep a close eye on David Seaman and Dave Beasant as they pick the ties and feed back any news of note!
Mansfield join non-league colleagues Maccalsfield and Luton Town in the hat for the next round, with a full complement of Premier League glamour ties available.
Liverpool have a job to do at Field Mill this afternoon before thinking about the next round and have picked a youthful side hoping to avoid a shock.
Draw Update The winner of this afternoon's match between Liverpool and Mansfield Town will travel to Oldham Athletic in the fourth round.
If you're just joining Sports Mole's live text commentary we can confirm that Daniel Sturridge starts at Field Mill and will make his Liverpool debut in just under 30 minutes' time.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Sturridge will play for around an hour this afternoon as he bids to regain full fitness for his new club.
Here's what the Liverpool manager had to say just moments ago: "You have to respect the competition and we wanted to take a group that would do that. It will be tough, it does not matter where you sit in the football pyramid.
"Daniel has been injured for a while and he will play 45-60 minutes today. He is someone who is off his peak condition but he wants to do well for this club."
The draw for the fourth round has been completed. You can get a full rundown of all 16 ties from my colleague Sian Cowper by clicking here.
Just over 15 minutes from getting underway at Field Mill, time for me to fill you with optimism for a cup shock. There are 93 places between the two sides on the football pyramid and a non-league club hasn't knocked out a Premier League side for more than 25 years.
ESPN are taking a few minutes to speak to Carolyn Radford, the Mansfield chief executive Carolyn Radford, and can you blame them?
Thanks to Carolyn for that welcome distraction. Let's get a few words from Paul Cox the Mansfield manager. "It's been a bit surreal, we are playing one of the biggest names in world football. We just want to make sure we make the town, our fans and most importantly ourselves proud of the performance."
A quick look at the pitch at Field Mill and it looks like it could cut up quickly. A Conference Premier match was postponed less than a fortnight ago and the home fans will be hoping the playing surface can serve as a leveler.
A quick mention for a magnificent gesture from Mansfield, who have placed the names of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster on empty seats in the away end. A nice gesture and mark of respect from the non-league club.
The atmosphere is building at Field Mill as we approach kickoff. Liverpool are in the tunnel early and eager to get this match underway.
Arsenal fans will be familiar with the anthem being played by Mansfield before the match. Elvis Presley's The Wonder of You has been heard for the past few seasons at the Emirates but has recently been phased out.
Here come the two teams, perhaps a bit of mind games there from Mansfield making the Reds wait in the tunnel.
A few minutes late to get underway at Field Mill, both teams are waiting and the crowd are getting impatient.
Here we go, Sturridge gets his first touch as Liverpool player at the kickoff and this FA Cup tie is underway.
Liverpool quickly get the ball down and try to pass it across the defence. The pitch looks sticky in places and may cause problems.
Carragher gives the ball away but Shelvey quickly regains possession for the Reds. No surprises in the early pattern of play.
Stewart Downing has a strong shot blocked behind for the game's first corner but the hosts clear the lines with a strong header. Suso tries a drive from range which goes well over the bar, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Matt Green tries to race onto a long ball for Mansfield, but Brad Jones is quick off his line to snuff out any danger.
Green's pace is definitely the biggest threat for the non-league outfit today, with two long balls over the top tried in the first few minutes.
GOAL Mansfield Town 0-1 Liverpool (Sturridge)
Sturridge scores his first Liverpool goal after just seven minutes with a calm finish into the corner. Shelvey set the chance up with an incisive pass inside the two centre backs, with Sturridge making no mistake with a measured strike across the goalkeeper.
Sturridge was almost in for his second just moments later thanks to some sloppy defending from the hosts. A short backpass had the goalkeeper stranded, but Sturridge lost out in a 50/50 challenge to let Marriott off the hook.
Wisdom concedes a free kick on the edge of the area and Mansfield have their first chance to work Jones in the Liverpool goal.
Clements's free kick is blocked by a strong Liverpool wall and the chance is gone.
Downing races away and wins Liverpool a quick corner on the counter. Suso takes it short to Joe Allen, who lines up a shot which is straight at Marriott, who catches the ball neatly.
Anthony Howell breaks for the hosts but his through ball is too strong for Green, who has pace but not enough to meet an over-hit pass.
CHANCE Sturridge is in acres of space again but this time he takes too long to make his mind up and a late shot is charged down and cleared. That really should have been a brace for the youngster inside 16 minutes.
Suso guides a tame free kick into the wall before Shelvey drags the rebound wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Briscoe and Green combine on the halfway line but the flag is up and a rare Mansfield attack comes to an abrupt end.
Liverpool youngster Jack Robinson makes a rare run forward from full-back but his burst comes to nothing and the hosts clear their lines.
Wisdom decides it's his turn to break from the back and his run is spotted by a superb pass from Shelvey. The full-back shapes to shoot but a brilliant last-ditch tackle prevents a strike on goal.
Mansfield slam a long throw into the box but the referee blows up for a foul on Sebastian Coates.
Lucas is late in on Murray and Mansfield win a free kick around 35-yards from goal. Clements takes but Carragher clears for a throw.
Exodus Geohaghon is known for his long throws and he doesn't disappoint here, hoisting a powerful throw into the area. Liverpool are alert to the danger and Jones catches with ease.
Mansfield are doing a better job pf pressing the action after a poor start. As I type Downing finds space in the area before a terrific block from Clements clears the danger.
A quick reminder that the winner of this tie will face a trip to Oldham Athletic in the next round following this afternoon's draw for the fourth round.
Murray concedes a free kick for a foul on Allen, which gives Liverpool the chance to ease back into their efficient passing style.
CHANCE Shelvey bursts between the two centre-backs and races in on goal, but he is under pressure and cannot make clean contact with the shot, giving Marriott time to make a routine save.
Green uses his pace to win a throw in an advanced position. Exodus Geohaghon is primed to take.
A poor throw from the specialist, which fails to beat the first man as Robinson heads away.
CHANCE Suso gives the ball away in his own half and Green reacts. His drive from the edge of the area requires a strong hand from Jones to turn the ball away. Mansfield's best spell of the match rounded off with their first shot on target.
Sturridge makes a strong run out wide and pulls back for Shelvey, but he is crowded out by some dogged defending by the hosts.
An important spell coming up in the course of the match as Mansfield try to keep the tie alive heading into the break.
YELLOW CARD Lee Beevers earns the first caution of the match for a challenge from behind on Sturridge.
YELLOW CARD Bookings come along like buses as Lucas is penalised for a cynical shirt pull on the halfway line.
Liverpool do well to deal with another enormous throw but concede their first corner of the match as a result.
Clements fires in but Andre Marriner has spotted an infringement and decides to award a free kick to the visitors.
Mansfield press Liverpool in after winning a series of aerial duels. They have definitely picked up the pace in this last 10 minutes.
Shelvey drives forward on the counter and finds Suso, but his attempted pass to the onrushing Sturridge is cleared by the hosts. The Liverpool debutant looks dangerous every time he gets near the ball this afternoon.
CHANCE Shelvey finds Sturridge again and the striker's low drive is only kept out by the fingertips of Marriott. The resulting corner find Coates in space but his volley flashes wide of the target.
Just one minute of stoppage time passes by without incident to bring an end to the first 45 minutes.
HALF-TIME Mansfield 0-1 Liverpool
An eventful 45 minutes comes to a close and its the new signing Sturridge that has made the difference. In truth the striker could have had a hat-trick but he will settle for a debut goal after seven minutes, which has the Reds ahead at the break.
Mansfield struggled to recover from a bad start but grew in confidence before the break and are still firmly alive in the tie.
Jonjo Shelvey has been instrumental for the Reds, dropping into dangerous areas behind the Mansfield midfield to great effect.
Luis Suarez lurks dangerously on the bench for the Reds, who will hope that they can give him a complete rest depending on their second-half performance.
Mansfield's best outlet has been pacy striker Matt Greeen, while Exodus Geohaghon rivals Rory Delap in terms of distance with a lengthy long-throw.
Radio 5 Live has managed to grab a quick world with Mansfield boss Paul Cox at the break. Here's what he had to say: "I think we spent 20-25 minutes watching and I want the players to wake up now and start competing in a football match. I want the lads to start believing in themselves."
The teams are back out and we are moments from resuming an intriguing third-round tie.
Brendan Rodgers breaks into a jog across the pitch and as he makes it to the dugout the referee gets things back underway.
CHANCE Mansfield nearly catch Liverpool cold in the first minute of the second half. Anthony Howell is played in on goal and only a strong block from Coates diverts the ball wide for a corner.
YELLOW CARD Sturridge adds a booking to his goal for an follow through after blocking Thompson's clearance. A harsh decision and this second half has made a lively start.
CHANCE Brad Jones doesn't get enough on a punch clear and Briscoe fires goalward, with only a block in a crowded penalty area preventing an equaliser.
Jones looks uncomfortable, with further pressure from Green forcing another punch, which this time has enough on it to find touch.
Mansfield have made a terrific start to the second half. Paul Cox's words of wisdom at the break have clearly fired up the home side.
CHANCE Mansfield win a pair of headers in the final third to find Green in the area. A late lunge from Carragher is enough to block the shot, but Green feels the Reds skipper used a hand.
CHANCE Jones is forced into another smart save from Briscoe's drive. From the resulting corner Green thinks he's tucked home from close range with a backheel, but Jones palms away with a desperate late dive.
Downing leads a fast Liverpool break, darting into the area and finding Sturridge in space. He checks inside but fails to find the target from ten yards.
SUBSTITUTION Rodgers said that he would take Sturridge off before the hour. He is withdrawn in one of two changes from the Reds. Suarez and Jordan Henderson come in, with Suso the other player taken off.
CHANCE Suarez nearly makes an immediate impact, launching a shot with the outside of his foot a few yards wide.
Replays have shown that Jones did not make a save from Green's backheel a few minutes ago, it was in fact a clearance off the line by the arm of Joe Allen.
GOAL! Mansfield Town 0-2 Liverpool (Suarez)
Suarez has made game safe in controversial circumstances. The Uruguayan has clearly controlled the ball with his hand before stroking into an empty net. Mansfield are furious but the damage is done.
Stags keeper Marriott is livid and he had the best view. Replays do little to dampen the sense of injustice for the non-league side, who must keep their heads now to avoid a rout after a strong start to the second half.
Mansfield boss Paul Cox is still involved in an angry exchange with fourth official Mike Jones as the game continues.
CHANCE Green beats the offside trap but can only send a tired finish high over the bar from a tight angle.
SUBSTITUTION Mansfield make their first change as Colin Daniel comes on for Louis Briscoe.
Suarez breaks clear and finds Henderson in space wide of the penalty area, but his looping cross to the far post is disappointing and eventually gets cleared by the home defence.
CHANCE Mansfield win a corner but Liverpool clear and break ominously. Suarez is the architect again, this time finding Shelvey on the left-hand side. The midfielder has enjoyed a fine match but this time failed to hit the target from a tight angle.
Liverpool have dropped the tempo and settled into a tidy rhythm as they look to close the tie out.
Mansfield toss the ball into the area and for fleeting moment think they have been awarded a penalty for a handball by Wisdom, but the whistle has actually gone for an offside decision against Howell.
Substitute Daniel wins a free kick in an advanced position. Clements's delivery fails to beat the first defender and Liverpool clear.
Clements floats another set-piece chance wide as Mansfield's hopes of reducing the deficit fade. Liverpool's defensive partnership of Carragher and Coates have dealt brilliantly with the pace of Green throughout.
Wisdom is down with cramp, with Downing rushing to his aid before realising play has continued and racing back to cover his position.
SUBSTITUTION Rodgers decides to withdraw Wisdom and bring on Flanagan for his final change.
GOAL! Mansfield 1-2 Liverpool (Green)
The home side keep the tie alive as a set piece finally pays dividends. A goalmouth scramble sees Green's strike cannon off the keeper and a defender into the net. Game on!
SUBSTITUTION Mansfield introduce huge striker Matt Read in place of Chris Clements in a final throw of the dice. A frantic final ten minutes awaits us.
Jack Robinson bursts forward and exchanges passes with Suarez before blazing over the top from range. Suarez is far from happy that he didn't get the ball back.
Mansfield have another free kick to float in the area. Murray does just that but Jones comes way out of his six-yard box to punch clear. Still a job to do here for the visitors.
CHANCE Reade causes instant problems and he thinks the hosts should have a corner. Carragher's final touch sent the ball clear but the referee awards a goal kick.
Daniel Sturridge's opener after seven minutes seems a lifetime ago as Mansfield continue to pile on the pressure. Reade wins a flick-on but Green is marginally offside and the flag goes up.
Exodus gets another chance to fire in a long throw but Carragher rises highest to clear the danger.
YELLOW CARD Suarez gives the ball away, there's a collector's item, and the resulting attack sees Flanagan dive in and give away a dangerous free kick.
Downing gets away on the break but loses control of the ball as he bears down on goal and a chance to kill the tie is gone.
The fourth official signals four added minutes as Mansfield commit men forward for a final charge.
CHANCE Murray plays in Green to unleash a strike from distance. Liverpool's nerves jangle as Jones turns the ball past the post with a fine save. So close for the non-league side.
Suarez wins a timely free kick to eat away at the clock and frustrate the hosts.
A big boot up the pitch bounces over Reade before being smashed away by Flanagan.
FULL TIME Mansfield Town 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool have to hang on at the end but progress to the fourth round by the narrowest of margins, against a Mansfield side who can feel aggrieved at the way Suarez scored what turned out to be the winning goal.
Suarez clearly handled to control the ball for his goal, but was it deliberate or merely instinctive? That is the question which will make all the headlines on a day which saw Sturridge mark his Liverpool debut with an early goal.
Thanks for joining me for what turned out to be a pulsating third-round tie. For more reaction from Field Mill and a busy weekend of FA Cup action stick with us here on Sports Mole. Have a good evening!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
