Lucas sees Liverpool through in FA Cup replay
STAND-IN captain Lucas Leiva scored his first goal in seven years to earn Liverpool a 1-0 victory at fourth-tier underdogs Plymouth Argyle in Wednesday night’s FA Cup third-round replay.
The Brazilian, playing at centre-back, met countryman Philippe Coutinho’s 18thminute corner with a firm near-post header to sink Plymouth, who had drawn 0-0 at Anfield 10 days previously.
A second-string Liverpool team could even afford for Divock Origi to squander a late penalty, the Belgium striker seeing his effort saved by home goalkeeper Luke McCormick.
“Every week in training we play old versus young and he is a top scorer for old, which is unbelievable,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said of Lucas’s goal.
“Maybe it wasn’t the most exciting game, but for us it’s very important as it’s another game for a few of the young boys, so that’s all good.”
Liverpool, third in the Premier League, will host secondtier Wolverhampton Wanderers in round four on January 28.
Lucas did a jig of joy after he evaded the attentions of his marker to head the ball past McCormick at Home Park.
It was the 30-year-old’s first goal since a Europa League tie against Steaua Bucharest in September 2010.
The goal also vindicated Klopp’s decision to put Coutinho in his starting line-up for the first time since he limped off injured in the 2-0 defeat of Sunderland at Anfield in late November.
Coutinho helped ensure the Premier League side dominated the opening exchanges of their contest with the League Two promotion contenders.
Despite the setback of conceding, Derek Adams’s home side rallied, with the Pilgrims carving out a couple of chances themselves.
But Loris Karius pulled off a fine save to tip away Graham Carey’s long-range shot before Trent Alexander-Arnold denied Arnold Garita with a smart interception.
It was far from plain sailing for Liverpool in a place known as “Britain’s Ocean City” and Karius found himself placed under pressure as Argyle raised their game.
Adams had to go into the game without striker David Goodwillie after a civil court judge ruled that he and former Dundee United teammate David Robertson raped a woman in 2011.
Plymouth started where they had left off after the break, but Karius dealt comfortably with David Fox’s low drive.
Liverpool str iker Daniel Sturridge wasted a decent chance from a tight angle and Origi had a powerful shot saved by McCormick.
Klopp decided to withdraw Coutinho in favour of the club’s under-23s captain Harry Wilson, who made his senior debut.
The Welsh youngster almost doubled the lead when he charged down McCormick’s clearance, but the ball sailed just over the bar.
Long late show
The visitors had a narrow escape when Jake Jervis saw his acrobatic volley graze a post, setting the scene for a nervous finale.
Origi should have doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Yann Songo’o felled Alberto Moreno, but his effort was superbly saved by McCor- mick, div ing low to his right.
“Overall I thought it was a very good performance from us. In the end we lost one goal over two games to Liverpool,” Plymouth manager Adams told BT Sport.
“The players can be proud of themselves tonight. The supporters showed their appreciation throughout.”
Elsewhere, Southampton set up a fourth-round clash at home to 12-time winners Arsenal after Shane Long’s scruffy stoppage-time strike gave them a 1-0 win over secondtier Norwich City. Championship leaders Newcastle United beat Birmingham City 3-1 at St James’ Park, Matt Ritchie scoring twice.