All senior players, Klopp to miss Liverpool’s FA Cup replay despite Shrewsbury draw

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp ruled out the participation of any of his players and himself as well in the FA Cup replay match against Shrewsbury on Sunday.

Klopp made 11 changes as the League One side, 59 places below Liverpool in the English football pyramid, came from 2-0 down to secure a replay at Anfield on Sunday.

However, the German did still include a handful of experienced players such as Adrian, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, Fabinho and Divock Origi.

Even they are set to miss the replay as it falls a few days into Liverpool’s two-week winter break from Premier League action.

Klopp said he has already promised that week off to first-team players and that under-23s coach Neil Critchley will take charge of team.

“In April 2019, we got a letter from the Premier League where they asked us to respect the winter break, not to organise international friendlies and not to organise competitive games in respect of it,” said Klopp.

“I have said to the boys already, two weeks ago, that we will have a winter break, so it means we will not be there -- it will be the kids who play that game because they cannot deal with us like nobody cares about it.

“I know it is not very popular, but that’s the way I see it and, how I said, the Premier League asked us to respect the winter break and that’s what we do it. If then the FA do not respect it then we cannot change.”

Liverpool went out of the League Cup in December when a team fielding five debutants and an average age of 19 was beaten 5-0 by Aston Villa.

Critchley was also in charge for that game with Klopp and the first team away in Qatar for the Club World Cup.

The move by Klopp puts further pressure on the Football Association to do away with replays from the FA Cup.

For the first time this season all fifth round matches will be played midweek and go straight to extra-time if they finish in a draw.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has also called for an end to replays, while Brentford coach Thomas Frank said he would have done everything in his power to ensure his side’s 1-0 defeat to Leicester on Saturday did not end in a draw.

“I think that is part of killing one of the finest cup tournaments in the world,” said Frank. “They can kill it a little bit with replays. I don’t get it.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool were warned about the possibility of an FA Cup fourth-round replay during the mid-season break before the start of the current campaign, the Football Association has said.

Klopp said neither he nor his first-team stars would be present for their replay at home to Shrewsbury, which is set to take place during the first week of the scheduled break.

However, the FA, which acknowledged the importance of a rest for the players, said clubs were all aware such a situation could arise.

“Prior to start of the 2019-20 season, all clubs accepted that Emirates FA Cup fourth-round replays, where required, would have to take place during the first week of the mid-season player break,” the governing body said in a statement.

“This will only affect a small number of clubs due to the split of Premier League fixtures in the mid-season player break.”

 Klopp said after his side’s 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury on Sunday that he would “respect” the break and that under-23s boss Neil Critchley would take charge of a youthful side for the replay, which is currently scheduled for Feb.4, subject to a timing change for television.

If that date is confirmed, it would mean the Premier League leaders’ winter break would amount to 10 football-free days, the gap between February 4 and their home match against Norwich on Feb.15.

Klopp said on Sunday: “In April 2019 we got a letter from the Premier League, I think, where they asked us to respect the winter break and not to organise international friendlies or competitive games. We respect that.”

Agencies