2019-2020 FA Cup: Liverpool vs. Shrewsbury Town

(Sky Sports) KLOPP LAUDED BY CRITCHLEY
Liverpool under-23 coach Neil Critchley admits manager Jurgen Klopp has the option to dial into the dressing room if he has a message for the young team which will face Shrewsbury.

With the first team away and Klopp absent as part of the club's scheduled mid season break, Critchley finds himself in a similar situation to December's Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Then he led his youngsters while the seniors were at the Club World Cup in Qatar - although that did not prevent Klopp watching from afar and phoning in his encouragement at half-time. "It was a message that came through, which I have to say was brilliant at that moment," Critchley said.

"Even though we were going off the pitch thinking 'We've played alright there but we're getting beat 4-0', it creates that element of doubt in your mind about whether you are doing the right thing and if you need to do something different.

"So when you get a message from the manager saying 'Don't change anything, carry on doing what you're doing, you've been brilliant', it just clears all that doubt in your mind and you can give that message to the players. The message killed every doubt, it settled them right down. It helped everyone at that moment."

(BBC Sport) Liverpool U23 boss Neil Critchley: "It is a special evening for the staff and players and for the academy. I am the one standing here but I like to think I am representing the academy and the staff. I am proud of that and I will be more proud if they play the way I know they can.

"What happens in both penalty boxes is very important and vital to the result. We had long spells against Aston Villa that we were in the game but we did not score at one end and did not keep them out at the other. We are in a results driven business and if you do not do well in both boxes then it is not a good recipe for success.

"We never know what team we might have at U23 level but have had time to prepare for this. There will not be any mixed messages and it is important we go out to play the Liverpool way.

"We will find out (how the players respond), that is the beauty of the game. Some of them have played in this environment and done well so hopefully they can continue that. Some who have less experience, hopefully they can help them, we will need the crowd to be with us.

"We are here to do a job, play and play well. You only enjoy it if you play well. We know what we have to do tonight and give Shrewsbury a run for their money. I am sure we can which will make it more enjoyable."

...for those worried about the coming match and the kids' presence out on the pitch...

(Sky Sports) RICKETTS: I SYMPATHISE WITH KLOPP
League One Shrewsbury name 10 of the side which started the original tie with Liverpool.

With manager Jurgen Klopp and his entire first team absent on their mid-season break the side named by under-23 manager Neil Critchley contains four players - Jones, Harvey Elliott, Neco Williams and Pedro Chirivella - from the original tie in Shropshire.

Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts said: "He (Jurgen Klopp) just explained his thinking, and I fully understand that, if you are promised a winter break, then you deserve a winter break.

"The FA Cup this year has been pushed a little bit to one side. Because, even the next round after this, is in midweek, which doesn't sit well with me because it is the FA Cup. It should be a Saturday.

"If we were to get through, you would like a build up to go into a Chelsea (their potential FA Cup fifth round opponents), as it is in this instance. And rather than it just being... it feels like it is just getting thrown in on a Tuesday, Wednesday night."