London – Liverpool avoided a potential FA Cup banana skin on Saturday when they won 2-0 at second-tier Bournemouth to book their place in the fifth round.
Beneath bright winter sunshine on the English south coast, Liverpool withstood an enterprising start from their Championship hosts before taking the lead in the 26th minute.
Luis Suarez's crossfield pass from the right flank found Victor Moses, who shifted the ball onto his right foot before drilling a low shot inside the left-hand post from the edge of the penalty area.
Daniel Sturridge made it 2-0 with half an hour remaining, running onto Suarez's dinked pass and tucking the ball past goalkeeper Lee Camp in front of watching England manager Roy Hodgson.
It was Sturridge's third goal in three games since he returned from a seven-week lay-off with an ankle injury, and the England striker almost added another with a deft lob that hit the top of the crossbar.
Manchester City host second-tier Watford later on Saturday, in one of eight ties featuring Premier League clubs.
The most evocative fixture sees non-league Kidderminster Harriers visit Sunderland, who stunned Manchester United in a penalty shootout on Wednesday to book their place in the League Cup final. – Sapa-AFP