Liverpool – Stoke City

<b>KICK OFF</b>

Bit of a rush over from the Chelsea comm so apologies for no team news. Let's get right into it.

Enrique's cross is a bit too deep for Downing to grab as Liverpool make the early running.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Kelly is late on Etherington and can have no complaints with a yellow.

Etherington is still down and in some discomfort. It was a poor, late tackle as they raced down the line.

Whelan's free kick is poor and cleared easily. Etherington is back on.

Now Shotton clatters into Gerrard. Messy start.

Carroll making his presence felt for jumping into Wilson. This game could be won and lost in the air judging by the start of it.

The sun is shining right in Reina's eyes. He hasn't gone for the cap option. Might be a mistake.

Very little purchase up front for Stoke yet, from either Walters or the returning Crouch.

There is Crouch at the back post, nodding tamely into Reina's arms.

More pressing from Liverpool as Downing tries to crioss into the box. Liverpool need to get Suarez involved more.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Whelan is late on Spearing and that is a nailed on yellow card.

Stoke doing little in the early stages to shuffle off that 'dirty' tag.

Promising move for Stoke twice stilted a little by Whitehead who had more space than he realised.

Too many fouls breaking up the game at the minute.

Shotton has no support so he tries his luck but squirts the ball wide. Little quality on show so far.

Another poor cross sails over Carroll's head.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Suarez! Brilliant!

A fine, fine goal as Suarez swaps passes with Maxi and plants his shot low past Sorensen.

First bit of quality in the game so far. A lovely, passed finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Stoke respond with an excellent cross from Wilkinson, Walters can't meet it before Crouch flails at it. Corner.

Now a flick on at the near post from Shawcross puts Liverpool in tourble but Huth can't turn it home at the far post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Crouch equalises.

It should never have been a corner after Shawcross' flick but from it, Shotton stands in front of Reina and Crouch nods in from four yards.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Reina is booked for arguing he should have had a free kick for Shotton standing in front of him.

Controversial. The corner was wrongly awarded, no doubt about it, but I don't think Reina deserved a free kick. Shotton just stood his ground.

So, the game took a while to warm up but it off and running now.

Carroll's acrobatic volley doesn't come off.

Oh dear, what a waste. A great pass from Whitehead puts Walters in and from 12 yards out at an angle, he's missed the target. Awful effort.

Nice move from Liverpool with Carroll involved, then Maxi before Downing volleys over on the stretch.

Etherington tries to work the ball into the box and now Shotton will launch this throw in there.

Not quite the distance on his that Delap gets and Kelly nods clear at the near post.

Suarez pulls that incredulous face he so loves and no wonder because he won a corner off Shawcross but the assistant gave a goal kick.

Now Suarez trips Shawcross and Stoke have a free kick. Again, that face.

Gerrard boots it long for Carroll but Huth and Shawcross screen him well.

Downing crosses but Shawcross nods clear at the near post before Sorensen claims Suarez's chip.

Suarez wins a free kick as Shawcross is holding him. Right on the edge of the box.

Suarez lays off to Gerrard but he goes for placement and knocks it over the bar.

Enrique's cross is poor and Sorensen grabs at the near post.

<b>HALF TIME</b> It looked like the ball has dropped for Suarez there as Huth misjudged the flight but the defender got back before the Uruguayan could strike it. And that is half time.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0318/luissuarezceleb20120318_275x155.jpg"><br> Suarez celebrates his opener

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0318/petercrouchgoal20120318_275x155.jpg"><br> Peter Crouch equalises

We're off again...

An early shot from Gerrard - Sorensen saves low at his near post.

Interesting to see if Stoke try and slow things down and go for the replay. Liverpool will have to come out at them you feel.

Shotton's long throw ins have been very disappointing. Not a patch on Delap.

He crosses now and that one is claimed by Reina. His delivery needs work.

Good work from Enrique as he takes on Shotton and wins a throw in.

Now Wilkinson trips Maxi and gives away a free kick. Bit theatrical.

What a chance for Suarez - he got ahead of his man but glances wide. He should have scored.

Another scrappy start to the half it has to be said.

Shotton is having a really poor game. He won't last the distance I'm sure.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Downing scores!

It's actually an errant touch from Gerrard that set this up, he miscontrolled the ball but it fell beautfully for Downing who stepped past Shotton and fired it back across Sorensen.

Only Downing's second goal for the club.

That will force Stoke to come out again and have a go at Liverpool. When they've done that they have looked dangerous.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Maxi off for Kuyt and Pennant is on for Shotton.

Enrique's had a good game but Carroll can't collect his pass on the edge of the box.

Decent effort from Kuyt but right at Sorensen. The keeper catches easily.

Sorensen is a relieved man - his throw gives the ball away and Kelly steals it but Huth cuts out the cross.

Good effort from Suarez from range, a little wobbler from 25 yards that Sorensen does well to watch and save.

Walters wins a free kick off Gerrard and Stoke have a free kick in shooting range.

Stoke try a clever free kick but Spearing reads it and clears. Bad idea.

Good clearing header from Carroll as Whitehead's cross lurched towards Crouch.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Cameron Jerome is coming on for Etherington, who never really shook off that early knock.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Final Stoke change: Delap for Whitehead.

Walers mugged Skrtel and got round the back but his cross was in between Jerome and Crouch.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> A yellow for Shawcross for tugging at Suarez.

Still Liverpool doing most of the pressing and Spearing fires a shot wide of the target from 25 yards. Worth a pop.

Good flick on from Walters and Jerome gets in front of Keelly but is wide and can't turn a shot on target as the defender gets back to block.

Excellent tackle from Shawcross as Kelly bundled into the area. Well timed and important.

Kelly is still struggling from the tackle. A good honest 50/50.

Wilkinson charges in solidly on Downing. Stoke still fighting.

Walters does very well to come away with the ball and find Crouch who has space but the big man wastes possession.

Crouch wins a free kick, Pennant delivers but Skrtel heads clear.

Suarez is down holding his ankle. Looks like Huth trod on his foot. Don't think it was intentional.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Coates on for Kelly and Suarez makes way for Jordan Henderson.

Coates gets a foot in as Crouch tries to find Jerome. Throw in.

Five minutes added time....

Corner in fact, Pennant delivers it to the near post and Skrtel offers him another chance.

A reminder the draw is right after the game - we'll have it of course.

Henderson crosses for Carroll but Shawcross nods over his own bar for a corner.

Liverpool are all but there. 30 seconds left.

<b>FULL TIME</b> Liverpool are going back to Wembley. And in truth, they deserved it, having provided more threat than Stoke and taking their chances. The draw is coming up shortly, and we've got it live.