KENNY DALGLISH has overseen the arrival of more than £100million worth of new talent during the year since his triumphant return to the Anfield hotseat.
But it is a player who cost nothing that continues to stake a strong claim of being the Liverpool FC manager’s most successful purchase.
His knees may no longer be able to withstand two games a week but, when on the pitch, Craig Bellamy remains as devastating a threat as ever.
And the Wales international was chief inspiration once again last night, scoring once and creating another as Dalglish’s men sidestepped a potential FA Cup banana skin by seeing off npower League One outfit Oldham Athletic at Anfield.
Having fallen behind to Robbie Simpson’s wonder strike, Bellamy unwittingly diverted Shelvey’s shot in for the equaliser before later setting up the team-mate’s first goal for the club.
In between, Steven Gerrard marked his first start since recovering from an ankle infection by putting Liverpool ahead from the spot on the stroke of half-time.
Substitute Andy Carroll sealed the victory in the 89th minute with his first goal in more than two months before Stewart Downing broke his duck for the club during injury time.
The scoreline flattered Liverpool with Oldham having contributed greatly to a fine cup tie.
This was only Liverpool’s second win in the competition in eight games, having been eliminated at this stage by Manchester United and Reading in the last two seasons.
A pity, then, that the result will be overshadowed by the new race row sparked by allegations Oldham’s Tom Adeyemi was racially abused by a supporter on the Kop.
While Dalglish had made a pre-match promise to take the FA Cup seriously, a host of changes were inevitable given Liverpool’s festive workload and the forthcoming Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Jamie Carragher, Martin Kelly and Sebastian Coates – making his Anfield debut since arriving from Nacional in the summer – were all taken out of cold storage along with Fabio Aurelio, who made his first outing since the defeat at Aston Villa on the final day of last season.
But it was sight of Gerrard back wearing the captain’s armband in central midfield that offered the greatest encouragement to the home support.
Following a heartfelt period of applause for Gary Ablett, Anfield was treated to a proper end-to-end tie worthy of the FA Cup third round.
Oldham sought to capitalise on the inevitable ring-rust within the Liverpool defence, and wasted three inviting chances inside the opening 25 minutes.
After only 10 minutes, Shefki Kuqi beat Coates to the ball, ran into the box, bustled beyond Carragher but then shot high into the side-netting.
Moments later, the unmarked Adeyemi met Robbie Simpson’s corner from the right but headed over the bar.
And then midway through the half Chris Taylor raced down the right wing beyond Aurelio, played a one-two with Adeyemi but shot wide with the outside of his right foot.
The warning signs were there for Liverpool. But there was nothing anyone could have done when Oldham took a deserved lead on 28 minutes, Simpson, fed by Dean Furman 25 yards from goal, teeing himself up for a half-volley that flew beyond Pepe Reina into the top corner.
Until then, Liverpool were listless and uninspired. But Oldham’s goal sparked Dalglish’s men into life, and they were level within two minutes when an intense period of pressure ended with Shelvey’s angled shot from the right striking Bellamy in the stomach and deceiving visiting keeper Alex Cisak.
While he didn’t know much about it, the goal was deserved reward for Liverpool’s most lively performer.
