Youth movement backfires for Liverpool
Coach held accountable for new starting lineup in scoreless tie against lower-ranked opponent
Jurgen Klopp’s decision to field Liverpool’s youngest ever team backfired Sunday as the Premier League title contender was held to a scoreless tie at home by fourth-tier Plymouth in the third round of the FA Cup.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino also made sweeping changes, and was made to sweat as his side left it late to beat second-tier Aston Villa 2-0.
Chelsea had an easier time, sweeping aside third-tier Peterborough 4-1, with Spanish forward Pedro scoring twice.
With games coming thick and fast during the festive season and a midweek trip to Southampton looming in the first leg of the League Cup semifinals, Klopp made 10 changes from the team that drew 2-2 with Sunderland on Monday.
But instead of keeping players rested for other competitions, Klopp now faces an unwanted replay at Plymouth’s Home Park stadium, around 470 kilometres (292 miles) from Anfield.
“It’s my responsibility, the whole thing, the lineup and performance. We could have done better,” Klopp said.
“If you want to see it (the result) in a bad way then I am 100 per cent responsible, I have no problem with that.”
Liverpool is in second place in the Premier League and well positioned to challenge for the title. Plymouth is second, too, but in the far less glamorous League Two. Despite this it still seemed a risky move by Klopp to select a team with an average age of 21 years, 296 days.
“There is a long season still to go and we need to change,” Klopp said. “If you make that many changes, it doesn’t make it easier for the boys.”
The 17-year-old Ben Woodburn — Liverpool’s youngest-ever scorer — made his full debut alongside 19-year-olds Ovie Ejaria and Sheyi Ojo in a three-man attacking midfield supporting lone striker Divock Origi. Trent Alexander-Arnold made only his second Liverpool start.
Attacking midfielder Adam Lallana, forward Roberto Firmino and England striker Daniel Sturridge were on the bench.
Woodburn and Ojo went close early on as Liverpool dominated. But for all of its possession, Liverpool struggled to create further chances. “We started well but then we lost patience too early,” Klopp said.
Klopp brought on Sturridge shortly after the hour mark, and he went close almost immediately with a low shot past the right post.
Sturridge then clipped a shot narrowly wide as Liverpool continued to push forward. But even with the introduction of Lallana and Firmino late on — and six minutes of injury time — the winner never came.
There were no such frustrations at Stamford Bridge, with Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi and Brazil midfielder Willian getting the other goals.
Defender Ben Davies put Tottenham ahead and South Korea forward Son Heung-min scored for Tottenham in the last 20 minutes, while Middlesbrough eased past second-tier Sheffield Wednesday 3-0.
Also, 16-year-old Ryan Sessegnon scored Fulham’s winner in a 2-1 win at Cardiff — a match pitting teams from the second-tier Championship.
Defending champion Manchester United crushed Championship side Reading 4-0 on Saturday, but Premier League Bournemouth, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke lost to lower-league opponents, while Arsenal needed a late winner against Preston to reach the fourth round.
Chelsea 4, Peterborough 1
Striker Michy Batshuayi got a rare start and welcome goal for his club while Spanish forward Pedro made it three in three games.
After Pedro put Chelsea ahead in the 18th minute, Batshuayi made it 2-0 shortly before halftime.
Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek expertly cushioned a cross from the right into Batshuayi’s path, and he drilled in a low shot into the bottom corner for his fourth goal of the season.
Since joining from French club Marseille for a reported fee of $40 million US, Batshuayi has struggled and he had not scored since netting twice in the League Cup on Aug. 23.
Pedro set up Willian’s goal in the 53rd for 3-0 and — after John Terry was shown a straight red card for hauling back Lee Angol — forward Tom Nichols scored for the visitors.
With 15 minutes left, Pedro’s curling shot completed a comfortable win.
Tottenham 2, Aston Villa 0
Defender Ben Davies’ first goal for the club was a timely one after second-tier Aston Villa frustrated the home side.
Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes from the Tottenham side that beat Chelsea 2-0 in the Premier League on Wednesday and fans at White Hart Lane had to wait until Davies headed home in the 71st minute.
South Korea forward Son Heung-min turned in a cross from France midfielder Moussa Sissoko with 10 minutes left.