The lead up to Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round replay was littered pundits and Football League managers claiming Liverpool were ‘disrespecting ‘the competition.
Rather than field a group of first-team players, manager Jurgen Klopp allowed under-23 coach Neil Critchley to take control of a team of youngsters just like in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals. While pundits and league managers called foul, Liverpool were quietly confident of progression.
The Reds not only won versus Shrewsbury Town 1-0 thanks to a second-half own goal by Shrews defender Ro-Shaun Williams, but the under-23s absolutely dominated a group of League One pros.
It wasn’t just one player that played stellar football for Liverpool. All the talk in the lead up was around midfielder Curtis Jones, who scored in the two previous FA Cup games. But Harvey Elliott, Sepp van den Berg, and Neco Williams all shone for the Reds.
It was Williams’ long diagonal cross towards Elliott that Williams headed into goal. The teenager, who has a future as a Liverpool right-back, although the position is currently filled by another academy grad, Trent Alexander-Arnold, has received plenty of first-team experience already this term.
The offseason should see Williams attract attention from teams all over the Premier League and EFL Championship seeking a loan move for him. Other players will see teams asking for their services. Jones already has had Blackburn Rovers calling Anfield this week seeking a loan deal.
Two players that also rose to the occasion were defensive midfielder Pedro Chirivella and left-back Adam Lewis. Chirivella was magical in the holding role pulling the strings in midfield and allowing Jones to get forward into attacking positions.
The Spaniard, already 22, moves like another Liverpool man, Adam Lallana, and it is that midfielder that Chirivella should replace in the first team next season. Chirivella has had several excellent cup games this season, but his play is subtle and unless fans are looking, they may not notice him like Jones.
Full-back Lewis had a poor preseason and his future was in doubt with Yasser Larouci receiving playing time in cup matches. Larouci’s hamstring injury allowed Lewis a starting role on Tuesday night, which he took with both hands.
Lewis was deadly up and down the left flank and looked like a younger version of first-team full-back Andy Robertson. The development of the team’s two under-23 full-backs shows the quality that is coming through the ranks at Melwood.
The talk of Liverpool disrespecting the cup was not only foolish but came from individuals believing the competition still has the mystique of yesteryear. That mystique is gone thanks to the money and prestige of the Premier League and Champions League.
Much of the talk of Liverpool putting out the under-23 team was obviously due to those being afraid they would win against the youngster. Liverpool now face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the fifth round, but don’t expect Klopp and company to forget the kids.
Jones, Chirivella, Elliott, Williams, and perhaps Van den Berg and Lewis have earned the right to stay in the FA Cup team.
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