FA Cup magic conjured a comeback that will see Liverpool and Shrewsbury Town play a fourth round replay at Anfield.
The two sides drew 2-2 at New Meadow on Sunday, as a much-changed Reds team struggled.
Liverpool certainly should have had enough quality on the pitch to dispatch of the League One side, but strange things happen in cup ties away from home.
In the 15th minute, Curtis Jones surged forward to score, but the early strike flattered to deceive.
All the possession grew toothless, with the Reds struggling to penetrate or create, growing sloppy in the process.
Shrewsbury threatened on multiple counter-attacks and had to feel like more chances would come in the second half, despite falling behind in the first.
A disastrous own goal from Donald Love seconds after the restart gave Jurgen Klopp’s men a two-goal advantage, but the home side increased their intensity, pressing Liverpool’s defensive players and forcing more errors and errant play.
Eventually, the visitors got caught.
Racing back to catch Shrewsbury forward Josh Laurent, Yasser Larouci threw in a desperate challenge. While the contact was outside the area, the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Substitute Jason Cummings converted and minutes later exposed the central defence, scoring an equaliser to stun the Reds and send New Meadow wild.
Klopp sent on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino to salvage a late winner, but it was not to be.
Now, Neil Critchley and the youngsters will get a chance to carry the club into the fifth round next month.
Here are four findings from the match…
Surging Scouse
Once again, Jones separated himself on the pitch when presented with an opportunity to impress.
Given much more attacking license in a midfield the included Fabinho and Pedro Chirivella, Jones provided a link to the front-three and joined freely with late runs.
At times, it seemed as though he was almost playing as a number 10, although he was more than willing to graft and recover defensively, too.
It was his run from a deeper position that saw him get free to receive an excellent diagonal through-ball from Chirivella for the opening goal.
Yet, the composure of the finish proved even more impressive, as Jones took the ball at speed and with a long first touch got behind the defence, before coolly slotting it past Max O’Leary.
Jones is now knocking on the door for minutes with the first-team.
Dodgy Defending
Two rusty veteran centre-backs and two young academy full-backs left Liverpool with a makeshift back-line that should have had enough quality to see off a League One side.
Problems revealed themselves early, however, as far too often the home side found a way to beat the Reds’ high line.
Returning from injury, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren both looked slow and tentative, struggling to find any kind of rhythm. Ultimately, their decision-making was most faulty and eventually proved costly.
Neco Williams and Larouci found themselves repeatedly caught out and exposed when Liverpool lost the ball too easily. It contributed to Larouci racing back and conceding a penalty.
Fabinho’s rustiness deep in midfield also caused the defense occasional trouble – it all made for a bad mix.
Pedro’s Problem
Chirivella may not be at Liverpool for long – he needs to kick on and play first-team football regularly somewhere.
Once again, the Spaniard played well in midfield, nearly repeating the kind of shift he put in against Everton.
His poise and playmaking ability from a deeper midfield position shows the kind of quality he can offer a side.
Chirivella’s beautifully incisive and well-weighted through-ball to a racing Jones displayed vision and technique. It was the pass that broke the game open and revealed a clear connection that he has forged with his teammate at Under-23 level.
His all-round performance was one of the few bright ones, even though playing alongside a struggling Fabinho may have made things more challenging.
Chirivella continues to prove his professional credentials and audition for another club.
Squad Stumbles
With so many players trying to regain fitness and return from injury, Klopp had a small rotation problem.
Rather than simply play the same starting lineup from the last FA Cup match, he chose to put some much-needed minutes into older players’ legs.
Considering the next run of frenetic fixtures begins again next month, it made a lot of sense. While Matip, Lovren and Fabinho will be needed, their return will not be without bumps.
Jones and Chirivella shone, but Harvey Elliott looked like a boy playing in a man’s game and the full-backs failed to flourish.
Even throwing Salah and Firmino on late could not rescue the win.
Ultimately, there may have been too many changes to keep much continuity.