KLOPP’S CUP KIDS TAUGHT ME A LESSON
IT TURNS out it was a fuss over nothing. Those who felt Liverpool had been disrespectful in the FA Cup — myself included — learned a lesson on Tuesday. Watching the young team who were given the responsibility of beating Shrewsbury book their place in the next round was a huge buzz. I can understand why Shrewsbury will feel that it was a missed opportunity but there is nothing like the emergence of youth to provide excitement. That is exactly what young men such as Curtis Jones, Neco Williams and Harvey Elliott provided at Anfield. I felt Klopp should have been on the touchline but the way they made light work of their opponents showed he wasn’t missed. The thing I liked most about the replay was seeing how the kids dealt with different challenges. Let’s face it, they are going to struggle to get opportunities in the Premier League or the Champions League at the moment, so where else are they going to be tested to see if they are up to Liverpool’s standards? Jones showed real leadership qualities. Williams was terrific once again and could end up being Trent Alexander-Arnold’s understudy. There were others, too, such as the young left back Adam Lewis, who I know Steven Gerrard rates highly. There has been a song and dance made about Liverpool’s attitude to the FA Cup but which one of those kids would change it? Whether they play at Chelsea in the fifth round remains to be seen. What we do know is the experience they have received over the course of this season has been invaluable.