Liverpool avoid fourth-round FA Cup scare with late strikes in Bolton win

English winger Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho fired a late goal each against resilient Bolton Wanderers to help Liverpool to a 2-1 win over the Championship side, that seemed to threaten the latest FA Cup shock.

Staging a stirring late comeback after Eidur Gudjohnsen's contentious penalty just before the hour, which gave Bolton a lead, Sterling broke the Championship side's resistant with a cool finish in the 86 th minute, before, with extra-time looming, Coutinho curled the winner into the top corner to guide Liverpool to a fifth-round tie at Crystal Palace.

Bolton, who led 1-0 just before the hour mark, were clinging on to with increasing desperation in the concluding moments, especially after Neil Danns was sent off for a second yellow card, the BBC reported.

With the numerical disadvantage near the end of the game, having become one man short, Bolton were out on their feet and simply could not survive a Liverpool siege, with Jordan Henderson and Emre Can striking the woodwork before Sterling made the crucial breakthrough.

This was a real scare for Brendan Rodgers' side but they would be relieved to advance after an FA Cup fourth round that claimed giants such as Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

It keeps Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, making his 700th appearance for the club, on course for that Wembley appearance on his 35th birthday on May 30 before he leaves the club for LA Galaxy, the report added.