An FA Cup replay adds yet another game to our already jam-packed January schedule. Is it really a hindrance?
A 2-2 draw against Exeter ensured that LFC would play them again at Anfield. That game was the first big break a lot of our youngsters were looking for. And Klopp responded in kind by fielding a side, whose average age was just under 23 and included senior debuts for Tiago Ilori, Ryan Kent and Kevin Stewart. An unprecedented injury crisis forced him to make so many changes but as it turned out, the young Reds didn’t let him down. It was not a pleasant viewing by any means, but the team did its main job and that was to avoid elimination.
We were then faced with the small matter of playing Arsenal and Manchester United back-to-back before facing Exeter. Keeping our injury problems in mind, we can safely say that our thin squad cannot cope with three games in one week. This is exactly why Klopp decided to recall our Under-21 players who were out on loan at different clubs; to help us get through this gruelling schedule. With another replay to deal with, it may seem like an inconvenience. But that strain will not fall on the senior players. Extra games like these are, in fact, a good problem to have.
Jurgen wants the club’s best young prospects to stay with the club and not go out on loan to some lower league teams where they might not even get regular playing time. We have one of the most talented batches of Academy graduates and Klopp believes they can be our future if they are properly managed. And he is absolutely correct in that regard; we must groom our youngsters the way our manager wants to. Games like these offer him an opportunity to evaluate the options he has. The bigger advantage is that the players get to learn from one of the best teachers in football, which can only be a step in the right direction for their careers.
There were a lot of mature performances at St. James’ Park, on that dire pitch, even though the team did not have many training sessions together. It was the senior members of the squad who failed to show up. Encouraging to see the likes of Brad Smith, Cameron Brannagan and Joao Teixeira play well even though they don’t get many games. Kent and Sheyi Ojo carried their good form into this game and made an impact. Jerome Sinclair was mobile and made some good runs in the box, unlike his captain that night, and opened his account with a well taken goal. A special mention for Ilori, who was injured for long periods and couldn’t get any games in the past five months. He made a few errors, but commanded our defence inspite having Jose Enrique as his partner. It is illogical to assume that he isn’t good enough just because he couldn’t get any games for Aston Villa. We need to give him time to prove himself.
This replay is an opportunity for all those youngsters to show their potential in front of the Anfield crowd; a bigger pressure to handle. A lot of our supporters have read about their abilities and are excited about their futures. This game also helps Klopp to judge which of the players he could use for the remainder of the season as well. We have four competitions to deal with and a lot of midweek games coming up. We have a thin squad and while we are still looking for players to buy in this window, it won’t be possible to get our targets this month. Some of them may have to play a part and they have the ability to. It is better to play our reserve team players than buy our second or third choice targets. These extra games are a bonus for us in that regard. And more importantly, this offers many of the senior players a well deserved rest. Positives all over and a chance for many of these lads to get into the first team. For us supporters, we get to watch our favorite team play more often and that’s something to be happy about.
