The magic of the FA Cup cast a spell that frustrated Liverpool and gave Plymouth Argyle extra life. The Reds failed to capitalise on their complete dominance at Anfield, drawing 0-0 with the League Two side.
For Plymouth Argyle, the fairy tale continues as they now will play host to the Reds in 10 days time. For the Devon club, it is a windfall opportunity to pack the ground with supporters and tally their highest gate of the season. For the Reds, it will be a less than convenient trip to the South Coast after a trip to Old Trafford.
Jurgen Klopp fielded the youngest side in Liverpool history in this fixture, which might draw some criticism, but the replay is likely to feature a similar lineup albeit a minor change here or there. This was an opportunity for many players to make statements and show what they could do.
Unfortunately, that extra bit of quality and class remained elusive to the side with such little experience. Nevertheless, facing frustrating and defensive sides is precisely what the lads must face to gain the necessary decision-making maturity required to compete at higher levels.
For most of the Pilgrim players, this match was a dream come true. For the young Reds, this was an obstacle on a much longer journey that will likely include another chance at Home Park.
Here are four findings from the match.
Pointless Possession
In the first half, Liverpool dominated their home pitch in every sense. The youthful side set up camp on the Plymouth half and reached over 80% possession. Yet, all that possession was almost too easy to defend for a team that dropped deep and was content to play with 10 behind the ball and look to hold for certain time targets.
As the minutes ticked, the visitors grew in belief that they could play the spoiler. Plymouth Argyle was never going to win but the plan to foil and frustrate worked. In the second half, they even tried to play a bit and see what might happen.
The inexperienced Reds faced two problems. No attacker showed the level confidence needed to take responsibility for the match and go directly, incisively at the defence. Divock Origi should have been that player but the only one that showed glimmers was 17-year-old Ben Woodburn. Also, this home side lacked the cohesion and confidence to know that a teammate would be available to one-touch their way through the visitors packed penalty area.
There was a need for one or two more seasoned players in the front six to carry and coax the best out of the bunch and scythe through the lower league side. The longer the deadlock the more frustrated and lack of experience told.
Ruthlessness Required
This was one of the most disappointing displays for Divock Origi in recent memory. It might have been too much to ask of the Belgian to lead the line with two teenagers alongside him. Origi, who always looks better with a partner and a chance to run channels, played with neither. It proved not the ideal situation for him on any level.
His effort remained high but playing on half a pitch he looked like he could never get out of second gear. Had he been paired with Daniel Sturridge earlier in a slightly altered shape, he might have looked more the full article and less the shadow. Yet, Origi could rarely find the time or space to even take any chance that might fell his way. Unfortunately, Sturridge’s almost immediate impact led two near winners rather than the real thing.
Still, all three attackers had chances to put the Reds ahead and lacked the nous to make it count. Origi’s best chance was rightly called back for a foul. Woodburn’s touch let him down ever so slightly as goalkeeper Luke McCormick closed him down. With maybe the best chance of all, Sheyi Ojo lacked the courage to throw himself at a header in front of goal.
Had the young side scored going into the break, this likely looks like a very different result and the experience hardens their nerve. Instead, most of them will get another chance to make it count.
Deceptive Depth
Much has been made of Liverpool’s improved squad depth. When fully fit, the manager no doubt has quality on the bench that is better than recent memory. There are also a number of young players that clearly have bright futures as professional footballers. Yet, the quality required for a quick dismissal in the third round looked ever so short.
Make no mistake there was a lot of brightness on display for the Reds, even in a match that ultimately became a bit boring, even desperate toward the end. The very fact that Klopp could field a side with so many teenagers in it is a remarkable testament to the talent being developed at Kirkby and Melwood.
While every one of the teens has already made a debut with the first team, none have forced their way into the frame for regular minutes. While some of that is due to the success the club has been having, some of it is their youth. Against a top League Two team of seasoned professionals who know how to get results away from home and are looking for promotion, the kids could not quite close the gap.
With some of the injuries that have forced some reshuffling of the squad, especially in recent weeks, the depth of the squad has revealed some lack of experience though not talent.
Regrettable Replay?
In a fixture list that already includes two Wednesday night semifinal legs in the League Cup against Southampton, Liverpool have created another midweek match for themselves as they try to reel in Chelsea. Given both Liverpool and Chelsea’s lack of European football, every match outside the league could potentially complicate things in the chase of the league leaders.
Much will be determined in the next two fixtures. Should Liverpool jump on a struggling Southampton side that looked on the precipice of free fall in the first leg of their semifinal tie, a number of players can remain fresh for a test against resurgent rivals Manchester United. Two wins with a chance to work some of today’s talent into the side could pave the way for a decided difference in the replay.
For the youngest side in Liverpool history, this match confirmed a kind of mixed blessing. They might have lacked the necessary requirements to summarily dismiss their opponents but they did not perform poorly. It might have been frustrating but it was far from awful.
Given the fixtures around the replay, most of them will likely get another chance to earn the very experience and gain the decisiveness that they currently lack when they face Plymouth Argyle again. Should that be the case and they find a way to glean the result, this replay will be a positive footnote.