Liverpool set up an FA Cup semi-final clash
against Aston Villa after edging Blackburn 1-0 thanks to Philippe
Coutinho's winning goal at Ewood Park.
The Merseysiders grabbed
the winner 20 minutes from time in the quarter-final replay thanks to a
fine individual goal by the Brazil international.
Two days ago, in
the wake of the crushing 4-1 defeat to Arsenal which put a huge dent in
the Reds' Champions League hopes, Coutinho had claimed: "Winning the
cup would save our season."
Jordan Henderson split the
Championship side's defence for Coutinho, who set himself before rifling
his right-footer into the far corner.
Liverpool were very nearly
denied victory at the death by Rovers goalkeeper Simon Eastwood, but
were thankful to Simon Mignolet for making a vital stop.
Playmaker Coutinho's
effort helped the seven-time winners reach their 24th FA Cup semi-final
and set up a Wembley meeting with Villa on Sunday 19 April with only
Arsenal (27), Manchester United (27) and Everton (25) having appeared in
more.
The game was far from pretty but with Wembley tantalisingly
close it was about getting the job done and Coutinho rose above all
others to add the piece of class which did just that.
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