Klopp was yelling time they got the Bobby’. He wanted NO.2 GRAHAM BARROW ON TENSE FINAL
ARRIVING home at 4am after a 2-0 midweek defeat at Gillingham quickly brought FA Cup heroes Shrewsbury Town crashing back down to earth.
Assistant boss Graham Barrow, who helped to mastermind Wigan Athletic’s Wembley triumph in 2013, knows how the competition can play havoc with emotions.
“Coming straight after the Liverpool game, I’m not making excuses, but it was a horrendous fixture,” he admitted.
“The players needed a bit of time to clear their heads after what happened on Sunday and they never had that. I could tell the mentality wasn’t right.
“We mentioned afterwards that to be successful you need to turn up for every game. That’s what Liverpool do at a much higher level.
“It’s just human nature. We’re coaches not psychologists. Even psychologists wouldn’t have all the answers. How many times do you see a side like Shrewsbury enjoy a great result and the next game it’s after the Lord Mayor’s show?
“It’s a fact of football, but there will be no worries about Tuesday’s replay – they will be fully up for it.”
And Barrow, who is No.2 to Sam Ricketts at the New Meadow, insists neither of them is bothered about what side Liverpool put out.
“We both agreed that Jurgen is not having a go at the FA Cup,” said Barrow. “He is making a stand about preserving the mid-season break, which the Premier League have brought in. He wanted the replay to be on another date outside that fortnight.
“My first thought, once the final whistle went on Sunday, was, ‘Great, we’re off to Anfield!’ I loved going there with Wigan in our Premier League days, though I then had flashbacks of not being able to get out of our penalty area.
“There may be disappointment with the players that they won’t be up against the big Liverpool players, but the chance of a trip to Chelsea in the fifth round is some consolation.
“Suddenly a different slant is placed on the game. It would be another great day financially for the club. Liverpool have adjusted the prices, so we just hope Anfield will be somewhere near full.
“It’s important, not just for the money aspect, but to reward the players who have worked so hard for what will be probably the biggest night so far of their careers.
“And, as the young Liverpool players proved against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup, they will make it game on. Harvey Elliott, at 16, is a real talent and Curtis Jones, if he plays again, is exceptional. Although they lost 5-0 at Villa Park, for large parts of the game they were the better team.
“Our players have accepted the situation and they are just as excited as if they were playing the first team.”
He revealed that Klopp threw on Roberto Firmino for the final five minutes in the belief the Brazilian could snatch a last-gasp victory.