Liverpool have beaten Oldham Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup.

Aly Cissokho put in a dangerous low cross in the opening minutes, but no Liverpool player could reach it.

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The home side again pushed forward, with Iago Aspas flashing the ball across the face of goal behind his onrushing teammates.

Luis Alberto then shot wide after good build-up play from Victor Moses. Alberto had a powerful right-footed shot saved as the first half reached its midway point, and Martin Kelly also tested the Oldham goalkeeper as the home side began to turn the screw.

Johnson Clarke-Harris won a free kick for the lower league side, but they struggled to create chances.

Raheem Sterling had two late efforts for the Reds, but he was wasteful with both as the match entered half time level at 0-0.

The home side broke the deadlock seven minutes after the break. Aspas steered in as Oldham allowed Sterling's cross to bounce inside the box.

The same player then almost made it two, but his header came back off the crossbar. However, Liverpool had Brad Jones to thank for keeping them in the lead as he pulled off a good stop to deny Michael Petrasso.

The Reds confirmed their place in the fourth round when Phillipe Coutinho's effort rebounded to Sterling. His shot was going wide of the post, but James Tarkowski redirected it into his own net.