Liverpool have progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 5-1 win against Oldham Athletic at Anfield.

Oldham created many of the early chances, with Luca Scapuzzi missing the ball from a great position.

Craig Bellamy caused problems at the other end before Shefki Kuqi fired into the side-netting following a strong run.

Tom Adeyemi should have done better for the Latics soon after, but his free header from a corner flew over.

Oldham took the lead in spectacular style when Robbie Simpson flashed a half volley into the net from 30 yards on the half-hour to silence the Kop.

However, the lead lasted all of a minute as Jonjo Shelvey's harmless shot deflected off the chest of Bellamy and into the Oldham net.

Liverpool gained the momentum after their equaliser, but Shelvey and Bellamy couldn't convert their chances.

The hosts were ahead at the break thanks to Steven Gerrard's pinpoint penalty after Maxi Rodriguez was felled in the area.

Jean-Yves M'voto had a chance to draw Oldham level after the restart, but he poked his shot wide from a corner.

Bellamy continued to be a hindrance for the visitors as his cross was unable to be converted by Rodriguez.

Martin Kelly nearly scored a rare goal for the Reds, but the defender's header was tipped around the post by Alex Cisak.

With Liverpool in the ascendancy, the tie was eventually put out of Oldham's reach with 20 minutes to play when Shelvey slotted in from ten yards following Bellamy's cross.

Substitute Andy Carroll added a fourth late on when he turned to fire a left-footed shot into the corner. The goal was Carroll's first at Anfield this season.

Stewart Downing got in on the act in injury time when he fired in after Jon Flanagan's shot was saved.