The youngest team in Liverpool’s history justified the faith Jurgen Klopp placed in them when he absented himself and his first team from their FA Cup fourth-round replay by beating Shrewsbury 1-0 at Anfield.
Former Manchester United academy player Ro-Shaun Williams’ 75th-minute own goal proved to be the difference, moments after the League One visitors saw David Edwards’ header ruled out by VAR.
Klopp had been accused of disrespecting the cup when he chose to honour the mid-season Premier League break by sending all his stars on holiday rather than play in this game.
But their replacements did themselves, Klopp and the club proud with a performance full of confidence and commitment which belied their tender years.
With an average age of 19 years and 102 days, three debutants, 36 senior appearances between them and squad numbers ranging from 46 to 93 this was a very inexperienced team at any level never mind a somewhat controversial cup tie in front of almost 53,000 at Anfield.
There was at least some first-team representation at the match with James Milner, who has remained behind to continue his rehabilitation work at Melwood rather than going away, sat in the first row behind the dugout.
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