Football is Mathematics
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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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Chernomorets Balchik are on a run of 31 consecutive undefeated matches in their domestic league
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Necaxa W have suffered 15 straight defeats in their most recent clashes in Liga MX Women
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Havelse U19 have lost by 2 or more goals their last 7 league games
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Deportiva Agropecuaria are on a good streak of 6 Segunda División matches where they have managed to keep a clean sheet
Pistoiese have managed to win at HT/FT their last 6 Serie D Group D games in a row
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Degerfors IF are in an unfortunate period, having won just 3 of their last 19 matches in Allsvenskan
In América W's last 11 matches of Liga MX Women, there have been over 2.5 goals scored
A series of 9 consecutive Primera Division wins mark Santa Rosa's latest record
UTC Cajamarca are on a run of 7 consecutive defeats in their domestic league
A goalless run of 7 games in their latest Allsvenskan matches marks Kalmar FF's league campaign
In their last 5 games in Prva Crnogorska Liga, Sutjeska Niksic have managed to keep a clean sheet
Maccabi Tel Aviv have won at HT/FT their last 3 away league games
Wolves U23s have lost by 2 or more goals their last 3 Premier League 2 games in a row
Chengdu Qianbao are unbeaten in 47 of their last 55 Super League games
Chernomorets Balchik are on a run of 31 consecutive undefeated matches in their domestic league
The team of Barcelona W have achieved 27 straight wins in Primera Division Women
Dnepr Mogilev have won just 1 of their last 20 matches in Vysshaya Liga
Necaxa W have suffered 15 straight defeats in their most recent clashes in Liga MX Women
Green Buffaloes's most recent games have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals in their last 11 matches in Premier League
A goalless run of 7 games in their latest Allsvenskan matches marks Kalmar FF's league campaign
Deportiva Agropecuaria are on a good streak of 6 Segunda División matches where they have managed to keep a clean sheet
Pistoiese have managed to win at HT/FT their last 6 Serie D Group D games in a row
Samsunspor's most recent record consists of 5 straight half time/full time losses in Süper Lig
Chengdu Qianbao are unbeaten in 47 of their last 55 Super League games
Chernomorets Balchik are on a run of 31 consecutive undefeated matches in their domestic league
The team of Barcelona W have achieved 27 straight wins in Primera Division Women
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Necaxa W have suffered 15 straight defeats in their most recent clashes in Liga MX Women
A goalless run of 7 games in their latest Allsvenskan matches marks Kalmar FF's league campaign
Deportiva Agropecuaria are on a good streak of 6 Segunda División matches where they have managed to keep a clean sheet
Boreham Wood have won by 2+ goals all of their last 5 National League games
Samsunspor's most recent record consists of 5 straight half time/full time losses in Süper Lig











