Whether the Uruguayan's handball was deliberate or not, it distracted from a stirring Mansfield fightback. In the second half, they belied their status as a mid-table non-League club lying 93 places behind their illustrious opponents.
Having insisted prior to the game that he would be taking the tie seriously, Rodgers opted to make eight changes to his starting line-up, with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger given a day off altogether, and Suárez a substitute. When Sturridge put Liverpool ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, it appeared less of a gamble. The England forward displayed slick movement to escape centre-half Exodus Geohaghon and latch onto Jonjo Shelvey's through-ball before guiding a first-time shot past Marriott.
Sturridge's inconsistency at Chelsea ultimately proved key in their decision to sell the former Manchester City youngster, but his FA Cup record cannot be questioned, with his debut goal making it nine in his last 12 games in the competition.
At that stage, it appeared as though Mansfield were destined for a brutal dose of reality against the five-time European champions. But Paul Cox's team overcame their nervous start and began to push Liverpool back, taking advantage of the uneven pitch and Geohaghon's long throw-ins.
Chris Clements saw a free-kick blocked by the Liverpool wall, while the industrious Green forced Brad Jones into an important save. Liverpool still carried plenty of threat, with the impressive Shelvey linking well with Sturridge, but their failure to score a second injected Mansfield with energy and belief.
Within the space of three minutes, Anthony Howell went close twice. The home fans sensed an opening as Liverpool were penned back. But the goal would not come. Having seen his team go close to conceding, Rodgers made the change which ultimately decided the game by introducing Suárez in place of Sturridge. And within minutes, Liverpool's talisman did what he been sent on to do by doubling his team's lead.
Mansfield responded well and the goal they deserved came when Green scored with a half-volley from Lee Beevers' cross.
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