FA Cup: Liverpool 2 Stoke 1

Liverpool kept their hopes of a cup double alive with a 2-1 win over Stoke at Anfield sending them into the FA Cup semi-finals.

Luis Suarez put Liverpool ahead in the 23rd minute, but Stoke hit back just three minutes later through a Peter Crouch header.

Stewart Downing came through when it mattered for the Merseyside club, and his goal – his first since making the switch from Aston Villa in the off-season – just before the hour mark put Liverpool into the last four.

The Reds started the game well and had a good opportunity to take the lead after just three minutes when an unmarked Maxi Rodriguez headed just wide of the post from a dangerous Steven Gerrard free-kick.

After a quiet opening 20 minutes, Liverpool sprang to life and took the lead through Suarez, who picked the ball up in the Stoke half and played a lovely one-two with Rodriguez before striking a great shot past Thomas Sorensen in the Stoke goal.

Stoke responded immediately and were level within three minutes through Crouch, who headed home Matthew Etherington’s corner from close range after escaping his marker Andy Carroll.

There was controversy, however, as the decision to award the corner in the first place was proved incorrect as the ball had originally deflected off Ryan Shawcross before going out of play.

Stoke had an excellent opportunity to take the lead when Dean Whitehead broke upfield and slid a wonderful through ball to Jonathan Walters, who beat Martin Skrtel for pace but could not put his effort on target after breaking into box.

Crouch’s goal knocked Liverpool out of their good early rhythm but late in the half they rallied and came close to regaining their advantage as Suarez’s chipped effort was well saved by Sorensen and a Gerrard free-kick went just over the bar.

Kenny Dalglish’s side came out for the second-half reinvigorated and were within a few inches of taking the lead through Suarez as he headed Gerrard’s free-kick just wide of the post with Sorensen beaten.

Liverpool began to dominate possession and got their reward when Downing struck in the 58th minute after he cut inside from the right and took advantage of a deflection that knocked the ball into his stride.

The former Villa winger made no mistake, lashing the ball into the net with a ferocious left-footed shot.

Liverpool were beginning to up the ante and could have gone further ahead if not for a good save from Sorensen who dove well to his right to stop a Suarez effort from distance, with the ball looking headed for the corner.

Pulis added more firepower upfront by bringing on Cameron Jerome but the visitors failed to find that final bit of quality needed to get an equaliser and deliveries from Jermaine Pennant and Etherington were disappointing.

Stoke tried everything towards the end of the game, including several long throws into the box, but Liverpool held on to win.

They now head to Wembley in the last four of the competition, where they will meet either Everton or Sunderland.